Test 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 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).