Engineering Manager, Numenor (Reactor)

Valar Atomics•Torrance, CA

8h•$180,000 - $255,000•Onsite

About The Position

Valar Atomics is seeking an Engineering Manager for its Numenor reactor program. The manager will build and lead a team of Responsible Engineers, engineers, and designers responsible for a group of mechanical systems on either the reactor side or plant side. Reactor-side systems include the reactor core and graphite, control rod drives, helium pressure boundary, heat transport, cavity cooling, and helium services. Plant-side systems include power conversion, heat rejection, the reactor complex and Citadel, service modules, and plant services. The role leads the team from the first unit through scaled production, with responsibility for people, schedule, and delivery. The Engineering Manager leads hands-on with a hardware-first mentality and removes blockers so Responsible Engineers can focus on engineering and delivering functional systems. Responsible Engineers retain technical signature and ensure the design basis is met. Valar Atomics is developing clean, high-temperature nuclear power intended to serve industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. The Numenor team owns the plant, coordinating mechanical, systems, safety, IC&E, quality, and supply chain work. The role is based in an onsite-oriented environment, with work alongside the team on the shop floor and with vendors.

Requirements

At least 5 years of mechanical engineering experience on complex hardware, such as pressure systems, heat transfer equipment, mechanisms, or large structures.
At least 3 years managing engineers with direct reports.
Experience delivering hardware from design through build and test against a schedule.
Experience leading mechanical systems on first-of-a-kind hardware from concept through build, test, and commissioning.
Strong foundation in mechanical design, drawings, analysis, and design reviews.
Experience managing vendors and key suppliers through design and fabrication.
Comfort working hands-on with the team on the shop floor and with vendors.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

Nice To Haves

Experience with high-temperature, high-pressure systems, such as pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and piping.
Experience taking first-of-a-kind hardware from design through build and test in aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, or defense.
Experience with helium or other gas systems, precision mechanisms, or rotating equipment.
Experience with power conversion, heat rejection, or balance of plant, including skids and modular systems built in a factory and installed on site.
Working knowledge of ASME pressure vessel and piping codes, including Section VIII, B31.1, and B31.3.
Experience with design for manufacture and scaling from prototype to series production.
Nuclear industry experience in commercial, defense, or national laboratory settings; described as a plus, not a prerequisite.
Mechanical Professional Engineer (PE) license; described as a plus.

Responsibilities

Hire, onboard, and mentor Responsible Engineers, engineers, and designers for the assigned systems group.
Set team workload and priorities, and remove blockers.
Manage scope, schedule, and budget for assigned systems within the reactor program.
Manage team performance, growth, and staffing as the program scales.
Own system schedules and delivery from design through IFC, build, and test.
Track Responsible Engineer deliverables against system baselines and raise schedule slips early to the Director and program controls.
Coordinate system readiness for design reviews, design freeze, and IFC.
Drive interface closure between systems with systems engineering and the plant model.
Coordinate with procurement and supply chain to ensure parts and vendors arrive on time.
Work with licensing, quality, safety, IC&E, and manufacturing to ensure designs build right the first time and improve with each unit.
Work hands-on with the team on the shop floor and with vendors.

Benefits

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
Opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up