Technical Illustrator/CAD Designer

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 looking for a skilled Technical Illustrator and CAD Designer to join our engineering documentation team. You'll transform complex mechanical and electromechanical assemblies into clear, production-ready technical illustrations, work instructions, and 3D documentation that support manufacturing, service, and training operations. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable inside a CAD environment and an illustration workflow—someone who takes pride in visual clarity, understands how assemblies fit together, and can communicate complex technical information to both engineering and non-engineering audiences. The role requires strong familiarity with real-world manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, and assembly) so that documentation accurately reflects how parts are actually made, finished, and verified on the shop floor. Candidates must also demonstrate strong working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5, the ability to identify and document drawing deviations, and experience revising drawings to meet ASME codes and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities 

• Create detailed technical illustrations, exploded views, assembly sequences, and callout graphics.
• Develop and maintain work instructions usable on the shop floor, and produce installation guides and assembly procedures from 3D models.
• Use SolidWorks Composer (or equivalent) for technical illustrations.
• Create and modify 3D models and 2D drawings, generating drawings with proper GD&T and BOMs.
• Support prototype builds and documentation, and develop drawings reflecting CNC machining, lathe work, and fabrication.
• Incorporate tooling access, datum structure, and finishes into drawings, and collaborate with machinists and technicians on machined and pressure-containing hardware documentation.
• Document CNC milling, turning, and lathe processes, and define finishes, coatings, and heat treatments.
• Create documentation for sheet metal and welding, and support pressure vessel fabrication and testing (hydro, leak).
• Align documentation with inspection and tolerance requirements.
• Apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and review and revise drawings for compliance.
• Document deviations and corrective actions, and support pressure vessel documentation in accordance with ASME Section VIII.

Basic Qualifications  

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in CAD and technical illustration.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent.
• Strong GD&T knowledge per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience with PDM and PLM systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Understanding of CNC machining and lathe operations.
• Familiarity with sheet metal fabrication.
• Experience with coatings and finishes.
• Exposure to pressure vessel systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• SolidWorks Composer experience.
• Aerospace or energy industry background.
• Experience with PLM tools such as Teamcenter or Windchill.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator.
• Direct experience working with machine shops and understanding CNC workflows and machinability.
• Experience documenting weldments or pressure systems.  

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).