Fire Protection Engineer

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 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're seeking a highly skilled Fire Protection Engineer to join our Engineering team and accelerate the frontier of advanced power generation. In this role, you'll be responsible for designing, analyzing, and implementing fire protection systems and processes for ensuring the safety of reactor buildings and other Valar facilities. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to bring new facilities from concept to production, and serve as a domain expert for all things fire related at the company.

Key Responsibilities 

• Supporting engineering design, analysis, calculations, and specifications for facility infrastructure fire and life safety systems 

• Develop building and fire code compliance documents and fire life safety designs for Valar office and reactor facilities 

• Perform hazardous material analysis for code compliance purposes, such as chemical classification, chemical quantity analysis, chemical inventory management, and related system design support 

• Support facility construction teams to develop field solutions 

• Support commissioning activities for reactor facility builds 

• Conduct fire/life safety code reviews and analyses 

• Prepare and present technical reports and presentations 

• Review and comment on shop drawing design packages developed by contractors 

Basic Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline 

• 1+ years of experience in the design and construction of fire protection systems 

Preferred Skills and Experience  

• Professional Engineer License (P.E.) 

• Working knowledge of Building & Fire Codes, and NFPA Codes & Standards 

• NICET certification in relevant fire protection programs 

• Knowledgeable in OSHA compliance 

• FDS software modeling capabilities 

• Construction, facility management, or consulting engineering experience 

• Proficient in Autodesk Revit 

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).