Director, Estimating and Preconstruction

Valar Atomics • Orangeville, UT

2d

About The Position

Valar Atomics is seeking an experienced Director of Estimating and Preconstruction to lead construction estimating, cost planning, and preconstruction across its infrastructure programs. The role works closely with engineering, project management, procurement, finance, and field teams to translate evolving designs into credible budgets, practical construction plans, and clearly defined scopes of work.

The Director owns construction estimates from early feasibility through detailed design and procurement, establishing cost baselines and assumptions to guide project decisions. During execution, the role supports major change evaluations and uses field performance to improve future estimates. The successful candidate brings estimating expertise, practical construction experience, commercial judgment, and the ability to work with incomplete information. The position also builds the team, processes, standards, and tools needed to deliver complex infrastructure at scale.

Valar Atomics is developing scalable, clean, high-temperature nuclear power for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. Its first pilot plant is planned for Orangeville, Utah.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in construction finance, project finance, project controls, cost management, or a related role on capital projects.
• Strong experience with construction cost tracking, forecasting, cash-flow management, and variance analysis.
• Familiarity with contractor billings, change orders, progress payments, and construction contract structures.
• Strong financial modeling skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to produce clear, executive-ready financial materials under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work effectively with field teams.
• Willingness to spend time on-site and travel to project locations as needed.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in energy, infrastructure, industrial, or large capital construction projects.
• Experience with capital budgeting, funding plans, or project cost reporting on multi-phase projects.
• Exposure to a startup, high-growth company, or similarly fast-paced environment.
• Ability to grow into a broader construction finance leadership role as Valar scales.
• Comfort working in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual, budgetary, and detailed construction estimates, including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor pricing, indirect costs, escalation, and contingency.
• Establish and document each estimate’s basis, including scope, quantities, productivity assumptions, exclusions, allowances, risks, and confidence level based on design maturity.
• Partner with Engineering and Construction to evaluate constructability, sequencing, site logistics, labor availability, and execution methods before major commitments.
• Lead cost comparisons and value engineering with technical teams while maintaining safety, quality, performance, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work with Procurement and project teams to develop bid packages, clarify scope boundaries, compare contractor and supplier proposals consistently, and recommend awards.
• Develop independent estimates for negotiations and evaluate major contractor proposals and change orders.
• Identify and quantify cost and schedule risks, recommend contingencies, and communicate unresolved assumptions and decisions to leadership.
• Establish approved construction cost baselines with Project Management, Project Controls, and Finance, aligned with project schedules and cost-coding structures.
• Provide forecast expenditure timing and construction cost scenarios to support Finance’s cash-flow planning and capital allocation.
• Lead handoff of estimates, scope assumptions, procurement status, and identified risks to execution teams; support forecast reviews and major cost decisions during construction.
• Build and maintain estimating standards, tools, historical cost data, and benchmarks using actual quantities, productivity, and completed-project results.
• Distinguish initial development and first-project costs from repeat construction costs, identifying evidence-based opportunities to reduce costs in future deployments.
• Build and lead internal and external estimating resources as the program grows, establishing review standards and accountability for estimate quality.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch provided on-site
• 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
• Opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director