Director of People Operations

Valar Atomics is a nuclear energy company focused on scaling high-temperature gas reactors (HTGRs) for grid-independent industrial applications. The company is developing what it calls gigasites, large-scale facilities housing hundreds of nuclear reactors intended to power heavy industry, data centers, hydrogen production, and clean hydrocarbon fuel synthesis. Their reactor design uses TRISO fuel, a graphite moderator, and helium coolant, a combination the company highlights for its strong safety profile and proliferation resistance. By operating outside the traditional electricity grid, Valar Atomics aims to unlock economies of scale that have historically eluded the nuclear industry. Valar Atomics' mission centers on making nuclear energy the cheapest and most reliable energy source in the world, with a particular emphasis on decarbonizing industrial processes and enabling clean fuel production. Their hydrogen output, generated via a sulfur-iodine thermochemical cycle, can be combined with captured CO2 to produce synthetic hydrocarbons through a modified Fischer-Tropsch process, offering a pathway to drop-in clean fuels. The company also targets the surging power demands of AI data centers, which are projected to require over 200 additional terawatt-hours of grid power by 2030. The company is currently advancing its Ward 250 project, a test reactor being developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the San Rafael Energy Research Center, and the State of Utah, with a target go-live date of July 4, 2026, America's 250th birthday. The reactor has already been physically transported to Emery County, Utah, with logistical support from the U.S. military. Four executive orders issued under the Trump administration provided a mandate supporting the project's accelerated deployment timeline.

 

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 Role

Valar Atomics is seeking an Director of People Operations to build, implement, and scale the people systems, policies, and processes that support our rapidly growing organization. This role serves as the operational backbone of the Human Resources function and will work closely with company leadership to ensure the company can continue scaling efficiently while maintaining a high-performance culture.

This is not a traditional HR role focused solely on employee relations or administration. We are looking for a builder who enjoys creating structure where little exists, developing scalable processes, and helping leaders navigate the challenges that come with rapid organizational growth.

The Director of People Operations will own core HR operations, compliance, performance management, employee relations, workforce planning, compensation administration, and employee lifecycle programs while helping establish the foundation for a world-class people organization.

This is a fully on-site role based in Torrance, California.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage day-to-day HR operations across the employee lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks.
• Partner with leadership on employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Administer performance review cycles, goal-setting processes, and employee development programs.
• Manage employee onboarding, offboarding, and orientation processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers regarding workplace policies and employee matters.
• Support compensation administration, salary benchmarking, and promotion processes.
• Partner with recruiting to support workforce planning and organizational growth initiatives.
• Manage leave administration, accommodations, and other employee programs.
• Maintain HR systems, employee records, and reporting infrastructure.
• Develop and track key people metrics and workforce analytics.
• Support organizational planning and headcount forecasting activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability across HR processes.
• Help preserve and strengthen Valar's culture during periods of rapid growth.

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

• You enjoy building systems, processes, and infrastructure from the ground floor.
• You thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments where priorities change quickly.
• You are highly organized and capable of managing multiple competing priorities.
• You balance employee advocacy with sound business judgment.
• You can confidently navigate difficult conversations while maintaining professionalism and trust.
• You identify problems proactively and develop practical solutions before issues escalate.
• You are comfortable operating with ambiguity and creating structure where little exists.
• You have strong attention to detail and consistently follow through on commitments.

Basic Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience managing employee relations, performance management, and HR operations.
• Experience developing or improving HR policies, programs, and processes.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• High level of discretion when handling confidential information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Hawthorne, CA.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience supporting high-growth startup or scaling organizations.
• Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, energy, construction, or other industrial environments.
• Experience implementing or managing HRIS platforms and people systems.
• Familiarity with compensation benchmarking and workforce planning.
• Experience supporting both salaried and hourly employee populations.
• Experience helping organizations scale from approximately 100 employees to 500+ employees.
• Strong understanding of organizational development and talent management practices.

What We Offer  

• Competitive base salary 
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company 
• Comprehensive medical benefits 
• 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.