TRISO Chemical Plant Process Technician

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 a highly skilled and motivated Process Technician 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’s 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  

• Safe Operation of Process Equipment: Operate and monitor process equipment in accordance with operating procedures and plant safety standards. Participate in safety programs to ensure full OSHA and regulatory compliance.
• Quality Control Sampling & Analysis: Collect in-process and finished product samples, perform analyses, and interpret results against specifications. Communicate out-of-spec findings and support root cause investigations as needed.
• Equipment Inspection, Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs on process equipment. Identify early signs of equipment degradation and coordinate with the maintenance team to minimize downtime.
• Shift Documentation & Handover: Maintain accurate shift logs covering process conditions, equipment status, quality results, and safety observations. Conduct thorough handovers to ensure clear communication and continuity across shifts.
• Monitoring Compliance & Reporting: Conduct routine environmental monitoring. Accurately record and report findings, escalating deviations or potential release events promptly.
• Yield Improvement: Improve yields throughout time.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with other functions of the processing lines. 

You Will Be Successful in This Role If 

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

Basic Qualifications  

• Proven track record of excellence in previous jobs and activities
• Strong interest in materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems for wet chemistry and/ or high temperature processing
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to support root cause investigations
• Experience in production/ industrial environments
• 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 protocols
• Hands-on laboratory and production experience
• Ceramic processing, SolGel casting, high temperature production
• Chemical processing plants, wastewater treatment  

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). 

 

 

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 
• 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).