Government Contracts and Regulatory Lawyer

Valar Atomics • Torrance, CA

10d

About The Position

Valar Atomics is seeking a Government Contracts & Regulatory Counsel to build the regulatory side of its legal function from the ground up. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role will develop and lead the frameworks that enable the company to work with government entities while protecting its technology and business interests. The work includes export controls, government agreements, land access and permitting, public records, foreign ownership matters, and compliance programs.

This is a builder-oriented role for someone comfortable taking ownership in a fast-paced startup environment and creating policies and programs where they do not yet exist. Regulatory work is the primary focus, but the counsel will also support commercial matters such as vendor and supplier contracts. The role involves close collaboration with engineers, executives, operations, and business development as the company advances from its pilot plant in Utah toward commercial deployment.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school and in good standing with the State Bar of California, or eligible to register as California Registered In-House Counsel.
• At least 5 years of experience in government contracts, regulatory, or export control practice at a law firm, in-house legal department, or government agency.
• Hands-on experience with U.S. export control regimes, including EAR, ITAR, and/or 10 CFR Part 810.
• Experience drafting and negotiating agreements with federal, state, or local government entities.
• Strong writing skills, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance for technical teams.
• 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 in the nuclear, energy, defense, or another highly regulated industry, including work with the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or national laboratories.
• Direct experience with 10 CFR Part 810 authorizations, EAR license applications and classification requests, or ITAR registration and licensing.
• Familiarity with Other Transaction Agreements, DOE acquisition regulations (DEAR), the FAR, and associated flow-down requirements.
• Experience with Department of Defense and military contracts, including DFARS, other transaction agreements with defense agencies or military services, and cybersecurity requirements such as NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC.
• Experience with federal and state land and permitting processes, including BLM, SITLA, NEPA, and state environmental agencies.
• Experience implementing FOCI assessments and mitigation, or working with CFIUS, DCSA, or DOE on foreign ownership matters.
• A track record of building compliance programs or legal functions from the ground up in a startup or high-growth environment.
• Experience drafting regulatory comments and managing FOIA or state public records matters.
• Experience working in a fast-paced startup or high-growth company and handling a wide range of legal matters, including commercial contracting.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead export control compliance under 10 CFR Part 810, the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), advising on technology classification, deemed exports, foreign national access, and authorization requirements.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage agreements with federal, state, and local government entities, including Other Transaction Agreements, cooperative agreements, procurement contracts, and site and land-use agreements; manage related flow-down and compliance obligations.
• Prepare and coordinate regulatory comment letters and other agency submissions concerning proposed rules, guidance, and policy developments affecting advanced nuclear, fuel, and energy infrastructure.
• Manage public records requests under FOIA, Utah’s GRAMA, and similar state laws, including protecting confidential business information in government submissions.
• Build compliance policies, procedures, training, and infrastructure, scaling them as the company grows from pilot operations to commercial deployment.
• Design and operate trade compliance programs, including technology control plans, restricted-party screening, recordkeeping, and import/export controls for equipment, materials, and technical data.
• Support land access and permitting with federal and state agencies, including BLM, SITLA, and environmental and siting authorities; coordinate with project and engineering teams on NEPA and related requirements.
• Manage FOCI matters, including assessing investor and partner structures, implementing mitigation measures, and coordinating, preparing, and submitting relevant government filings.
• Support the broader legal team on commercial matters, including vendor and supplier agreements, NDAs, services agreements, and other transactional work.
• Advise executives, engineering, operations, and business development on government relationships, regulatory risk, and compliance strategy.
• Manage outside counsel and budgets on specialized matters while keeping core expertise in-house.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree