Supplier Quality Engineer

Valar Atomics; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Free daily meals onsite

High-impact startup environment

Career growth opportunities

Cross-functional collaboration

Ground-up impact

Job summary

Valar Atomics in Torrance, CA is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to lead the quality architecture across the external supply chain, ensuring that procured components and services meet technical specs and regulatory standards before integration into manufacturing and operations.

You will manage supplier qualification, CGD plans, CARs, and CAPA programs, collaborating with Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Quality Assurance to mitigate non-conformances and protect downstream workflows.

Qualifications

• BS degree with 2+ years nuclear or related experience
• BA degree with 5+ years nuclear or related experience
• US Navy Nuclear Propulsion School graduate with 1+ year nuclear experience
• In lieu of a degree, 5 years direct nuclear experience will be considered

Responsibilities

• Execute supplier qualification protocols, including capability evaluations and quality audits
• Conduct on-site source inspections to verify compliance with drawings and codes
• Approve CGD plans for commercial procurement
• Administer corrective action requests (CARs) to resolve supplier nonconformances
• Review supplier documentation including certifications, test reports, and first article inspections
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing practices against internal specs and standards
• Collaborate to establish quality clause flow-downs on purchase orders
• Analyze supplier performance metrics to drive improvements
• Support receiving inspection and material disposition workflows
• Identify systemic supply chain risks and escalate to leadership

Skills

Nuclear industry knowledge

Quality systems

Documentation review

Corrective actions

Vendor management

Data analysis

Education

BS degree in science

BA degree

US Navy Nuclear Propulsion School

Experience in lieu of degree

Job description

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 Regulations & Safety organization, Quality Assurance establishes the systems and standards that ensure products and processes consistently meet the highest levels of quality and compliance. The team promotes continuous improvement and operational excellence across the company.

The Role

As a Supplier Quality Engineer at Valar Atomics, you will manage the quality architecture across the organization's external supply chain. This position is responsible for ensuring that all procured components, assemblies, and services strictly conform to technical specifications and regulatory standards prior to integration into manufacturing, construction, and operational phases.

In this role, you will lead supplier qualification frameworks, execute source inspections, facilitate Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) protocols, and administer corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs across a technically complex supply chain specializing in nuclear-grade hardware. Collaborating cross-functionally with Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Quality Assurance, you will proactively mitigate supplier-related non-conformances to protect downstream production and operational workflows.

This position welcomes professionals from highly regulated, technically rigorous sectors, including aerospace, defense, semiconductor fabrication, biomedical engineering, oil and gas, or heavy industrial manufacturing, who excel in high-accountability environments. While prior nuclear sector experience is not a prerequisite, candidates must demonstrate strong mission alignment, exceptional technical rigor, and the capacity to rapidly master complex domain-specific regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute supplier qualification protocols, including capability evaluations and comprehensive quality audits.
• Conduct on-site source inspections to verify strict compliance with engineering drawings and regulatory codes.
• Approve and implement technical Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) plans for commercial procurement.
• Administer corrective action requests (CARs) to resolve and verify supplier nonconformances.
• Review critical supplier documentation, including material certifications, test reports, and first article inspections.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing practices against internal technical specifications and quality management standards.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Procurement to establish complete quality clause flow-downs on purchase orders.
• Analyze supplier performance metrics to drive continuous development and populate organizational scorecards.
• Support receiving inspection operations and material disposition workflows for all incoming hardware.
• Identify systemic supply chain risks and elevate technical evidence to quality leadership.

You Will Be Successful In This Role If

• You spearhead vendor issue resolution by taking full ownership of supplier quality problems and driving them to closure rather than waiting for others to act.
• You confidently evaluate industrial processes because you are comfortable reviewing technical documentation, interpreting engineering drawings, and evaluating supplier process controls against defined requirements.
• You foster cross-functional alignment as you communicate clearly and professionally with suppliers, engineers, and procurement teams while maintaining appropriate quality oversight.
• You deliver rapid, high-standard results because you operate with urgency and execution discipline without compromising technical rigor or documentation integrity.
• You eagerly master industry standards since you are curious about nuclear technology and willing to learn the regulatory and quality frameworks that govern it.
• You adapt to dynamic environments where you thrive in fast-paced environments

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree and 2 years of nuclear or other industry comparable experience
• Bachelor of Arts degree and 5 years of nuclear or other industry comparable experience
• US Navy Nuclear Propulsion School Graduate and 1 years of nuclear or other comparable experience
• Note: In lieu of a college degree, 5 years of direct nuclear or other comparable experience will be considered.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Regulated Industry Background: Proven track record in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, healthcare, oil and gas, or heavy industrial supply chains.
• Quality Standards Mastery: Strong familiarity with ASME Sections II and II, ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949, or similar quality management systems and vendor flow-down criteria.
• Technical Documentation Expertise: Skilled in evaluating and signing off on FAIRs, material certifications, test data, and vendor process records.
• Special Processes Insight: Practical knowledge of critical manufacturing procedures including welding, heat treatment, NDE, and surface finishing techniques.
• Corrective Action Proficiency: Experience managing supplier corrective actions, executing root cause analysis, and driving vendor development initiatives.
• Data & Inspection Knowledge: Basic understanding of statistical methods, process capability (Cp/Cpk) metrics, and dimensional inspection tools

What We Offer

• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• 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).

$100,000 - $140,000 USD