Structures Engineer, Turbomachinery Static Hardware

Valar Atomics; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Unlimited PTO

Lunch and dinner onsite

PPE stipend

High-impact startup

Rapid career growth

Direct collaboration

Ground-up energy tech

Job summary

Valar Atomics seeks a Structures Engineer to join the turbomachinery static hardware team. You will analyze static components for margins, size parts for strength, and select materials balancing capability, lead time, and cost.

You will influence design decisions early in system architecture and work with cross‑functional partners to enable manufacturable, high‑efficiency turbomachinery. This is a hands‑on, growth‑oriented early hire.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with structural analysis.
• Experience with high-temperature components and materials.

Responsibilities

• Analyze static components for structural margins under various conditions.
• Size components to ensure adequate strength.
• Choose materials balancing capability, lead time, and cost.
• Define clearances for rotating turbomachinery with cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Mechanical engineering degree

Aerospace engineering degree

Experience in structural analysis

FEA software (ANSYS)

FEA software (Nastran)

FEA software (Abaqus)

High-temperature materials

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Nastran

Abaqus

Job description

Structures Engineer, Turbomachinery Static Hardware

About Valar Atomics

At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.

The Team

As part of the Engineering organization, Power Con v ers ion develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical power . The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.

The Role

Valar Atomics is seeking astructuresengineer to join the turbomachinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role,you’llbe responsible ananalyzingstaticcomponentsfor Valar’s power generation turbomachinery.You’llbe working withcross-functionalteam members to define a manufacturable,high efficiency, robust design.As an early hire in turbomachinery, you will be able to directly influence design decisions on the system architecture.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze components for structural margins in a variety of operating conditions and transients
• Size components for adequate strength
• Select materials that balance capability versus lead time and cost considerations
• Partner with cross functional partners to define required clearancesfor rotating turbomachinery

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

• You are excited to be a part of a complex turbomachinery product fromthe beginning
• You thrive in ambiguous environments without definedturbomachinery design best practices
• You want tobe part ofturbomachinery design beyond a singularsiloed discipline

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanicalor AerospaceEngineering
• Minimum 3 years of experience conductingstructural analysis
• Experience with commercial FEA codes such as Ansys, Nastran, Abaqus
• Experience withhigh temperaturecomponents and materials

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in Mechanicalor AerospaceEngineering
• Experience with materialselectionofhigh temperaturemetals
• Knowledge of casting or forging processes
• Experience with supercritical C02

What We Offer

• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• Generous PPE stipend
• High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
• Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
• Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
• The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

$140,000 - $215,000 USD