Health Physicist

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.

About The Role

Valar Atomics is seeking a Health Physicist to serve as the technical backbone of our Radiation Protection Program. You will be the subject matter expert responsible for the "why" and "how" of radiological safety-from calculating shielding requirements to designing the dosimetry program.

This role begins with an onboarding period at our HQ in Los Angeles before deploying to our pilot site in Utah. You will work closely with the Principal Health Physicist and the Operations team to ensure our program is robust, defensible, and built for the real world.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Authority: Develop and maintain the technical basis for the Radiation Protection Program, including internal/external dosimetry, instrumentation, and airborne radioactivity monitoring.
• ALARA Planning: Lead ALARA reviews for high-hazard work. Perform shielding calculations and dose assessments to engineer safety into every job.
• Procedure Development: Write clear, concise technical procedures that translate regulatory requirements (10 CFR 835) into actionable steps for the field team.
• Instrumentation: Oversee the selection, calibration, and maintenance of our radiological instrumentation fleet, ensuring our data is always accurate.
• Training: Develop and deliver high-impact radiation safety training to staff, from General Employees to Radiological Workers.
• Regulatory Compliance: Manage the reporting and recordkeeping requirements, ensuring we are always audit-ready and fully compliant with DOE and state regulations.

Who You Are

• A Problem Solver: You don't just identify a high dose rate; you find the engineering solution to lower it.
• A Communicator: You can explain complex radiological concepts to engineers, operators, and regulators with equal clarity.
• Detail-Oriented: You know that in Health Physics, accuracy is everything. You take pride in precise calculations and flawless documentation.
• Driven: You are excited to build a program from the ground up in a fast-paced startup environment.

Basic Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited university in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, a related physical science (e.g., Physics, Chemistry), or engineering.
  • OR Equivalent education and/or extensive, progressive experience (e.g., 10+ years as a senior HPT/RPT or Naval ELT) as approved by the RPP Manager.
  • OR Current certification by the American Board of Health Physics (CHP).
• Experience:
  • 3-5 years of applied, professional experience in operational health physics.
  • Demonstrated experience in at least two of the following: technical writing, dose assessment, ALARA planning, instrumentation, or training.
• Technical Knowledge
  • Expert-level knowledge of 10 CFR 835 ("Occupational Radiation Protection") OR 10 CFR 20 ("Standards for Protection Against Radiation").
  • Strong technical writing skills.
• Flexibility: Ability to relocate to Los Angeles temporarily for training, then to Utah for ongoing operations.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• DOE/Reactor Experience: Experience at a DOE or NRC-licensed reactor facility or in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
• Regulatory Familiarity: Knowledge of DOE-STD-1098 (Radiological Control) and transport regulations (49 CFR).

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.

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