Test Engineer

Doist; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Free daily lunch and dinner onsite

Comprehensive medical benefits

Equity ownership in a rapidly growing

High-impact startup environment

Job summary

Valar Atomics is seeking a Test Engineer to design and build test stands, run test campaigns, and turn data into actionable insight. The role sits at the intersection of hardware, data, and compliance, with hands-on testing and ownership of the data pipeline feeding SCADA and historian systems.

You will troubleshoot issues, diagnose root causes from test data, and present results to regulators and auditors, enabling robust manufacturing and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of Test Engineering experience.
• Experience designing and building test stands or fixtures.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems and sensor instrumentation.
• Experience with SCADA and historian systems.
• Working knowledge of scripting or data processing tools such as Python, MATLAB, or SQL for data handling and analysis.
• Strong troubleshooting mindset with the ability to diagnose issues from data, not just observation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting technical results to non technical or regulatory audiences.
• Experience preparing documentation for regulatory review or compliance audits is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Test Stand Design and Execution: Design, build, and maintain test stands for evaluating hardware performance, reliability, and compliance; Develop test profiles and procedures for objectives; Run tests and monitor live data.
• Data Acquisition and Integration: Set up data acquisition systems and integrate test stand data streams with SCADA/historian infra; structure raw data for analysis.
• Troubleshooting and Diagnostics: Troubleshoot instrumentation, hardware, and data faults; diagnose root causes from test data; translate findings into design improvements.
• Reporting and Compliance: Prepare clear test reports and documentation; present results to regulators and auditors as needed.

Skills

Test engineering

Data analysis

Troubleshooting from data

Technical communication

Regulatory reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

SCADA systems

Data acquisition hardware

Python

MATLAB

SQL

Job description

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, Mechanical Engineering designs and develops the mechanical systems, components, and equipment that power Valar's advanced nuclear technologies. The team ensures designs are robust, manufacturable, and optimized for long-term performance.

The Role

We are looking for a Test Engineer to design and build test stands, execute test campaigns, and turn raw test data into actionable insight. This role sits at the intersection of hardware, data, and compliance. You'll be hands on with test hardware and instrumentation while also owning the data pipeline that feeds our SCADA and historian systems. You'll work closely with engineering to troubleshoot issues, diagnose root causes from test data, and represent test results to government regulators.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Stand Design and Execution Design, build, and maintain test stands for evaluating hardware performance, reliability, and compliance Develop test profiles and procedures tailored to specific test objectives such as performance validation, endurance, environmental, and failure analysis Run tests, monitor live data, and adjust test parameters as needed to capture meaningful results


• Data Acquisition and Integration Set up and maintain data acquisition systems for tests, including remote and unattended data acquisition capability Integrate test stand data streams with existing SCADA and historian infrastructure Process and structure raw test data into clean, usable formats for engineering analysis and reporting


• Troubleshooting and Diagnostics Troubleshoot issues arising during test execution, including instrumentation, test stand hardware, and data acquisition faults Analyze test data to diagnose root causes of issues in existing product designs Collaborate with design engineers to translate test findings into actionable design recommendations


• Reporting and Compliance Prepare clear, accurate test reports and supporting documentation Maintain organized records of test procedures, configurations, and results for traceability Present and explain test results and methodology to government regulators and auditors as needed

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, or equivalent hands on experience.


• 2+ years of Test Engineering Experience.


• Experience designing and building test stands or test fixtures.


• Familiarity with data acquisition systems and sensor instrumentation.


• Experience with SCADA and historian systems.


• Working knowledge of scripting or data processing tools such as Python, MATLAB, or SQL for data handling and analysis.


• Strong troubleshooting mindset with the ability to diagnose issues from data, not just observation.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting technical results to non technical or regulatory audiences.


• Experience preparing documentation for regulatory review or compliance audits is a plus.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Bachelors of Science in engineering or related discipline.


• Test stand Design experience.


• Data acquisition experience.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company


• Comprehensive medical benefits


• 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).

Salary $112,000 — $137,000 USD