Government Contracts and Regulatory Lawyer

Valar Atomics•Torrance, CA

11d•$220,000 - $260,000

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 manage the frameworks needed for the company’s government relationships, including export controls, government agreements, land access and permitting, public records, foreign ownership matters, and compliance programs. The role is focused on regulatory work but also supports commercial contracting, including vendor and supplier agreements, as business needs arise. The position is intended for a builder who takes ownership, works effectively in fast-paced startup environments, and can create policies and programs where none currently exist. The counsel will work closely with engineers, executives, operations, and business development as Valar Atomics advances from its pilot plant in Utah toward commercial deployment. The role also manages outside counsel and budgets for specialized matters while keeping core expertise in-house. Valar Atomics is developing scalable, factory-made high-temperature nuclear power for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. Its first pilot plant is in Orangeville, Utah. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school and good standing with the State Bar of California, or eligibility 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 (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 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the nuclear, energy, defense, or another highly regulated industry, including work with the Department of Energy, 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, defense-agency or military-service Other Transaction Agreements, 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.
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 in a fast-paced startup or high-growth company and ability to handle a wide range of legal matters beyond a single specialty, 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); advise 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 submissions to agencies regarding 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 and scale compliance policies, procedures, training, and infrastructure 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 and engineering, operations, and business development teams on government relationships, regulatory risk, and compliance strategy.
Manage outside counsel and budgets on specialized matters while keeping core expertise in-house.

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