TRISO Chemical Plant Process 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, Fuels & Materials develops and qualifies the advanced materials and fuel technologies that form the foundation of Valar's reactor systems. The team ensures performance, reliability, and long-term durability under demanding operating conditions. 

The Role 

We’re seeking highly skilled and motivated Process Engineers to join our TRISO manufacturing pilot line. In this role, you’ll be responsible for state-of-the-art chemical processing equipment; taking radical ownership of the system performance and operations. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to install, troubleshoot, and optimize pilot scale uranium processing equipment. This job is full-time in Orangeville, Utah. 

Key Responsibilities 

• System Ownership: Take ownership of one of several major subsystems, ensuring alignment between performance targets, manufacturability, and cost. 
• Procedure Writing: Write and optimize procedures for operation and repairs of chemical processing equipment. 
• Engineering Analysis: Perform structural, thermal, chemical, and fluid analyses to validate system performance and reliability. 
• Development Execution: Develop detailed understanding and modeling of equipment operations and optimize output to meet stringent specifications. 
• Yield Improvement: Improve yields and throughput time.  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with other functions of the processing lines, engineering, and management.  
• Supplier & Manufacturing Interface: Work closely with vendors to manage cost, timelines, manufacturing process selection, and quality control.  
• Design Process Development: Contribute to the best internal practices for safety, documentation, and personnel management. 

You Will Be Successful in This Role If You

• Demonstrate ability and eagerness to learn and become subject matter expert on assigned equipment. 
• Achieve operational completeness of mechanical installation and documentation.  
• Collaborate effectively with technicians and other engineers.  
• Adapt to changing priorities and environments without losing sight of all tasks.  
• Exhibit extreme ownership, curiosity, and attention to details 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field 
• Proven track record of engineering excellence 
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems for wet chemistry and/ or high temperature processing.  
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to lead root cause investigations
• Experience in production environment
• Experience overseeing and mentoring a team
• Excellent communication, technical documentation, and leadership skills
• Willingness to relocate to Emery County, Utah 

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Experience in high-performance or safety-critical production environments 
• Deep understanding of quality and reliability engineering  
• Hands-on laboratory and production experience
• Ceramic processing, SolGel casting, high temperature production 
• Chemical processing plants, wastewater treatment 

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).