Head of Facilities

Valar Atomics•Hawthorne, CA

9d•$150,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. We are seeking a Head of Facilities to own and scale the operations of our combined office and manufacturing site in Torrance. This role is responsible for ensuring that our physical environment enables world-class engineering and manufacturing—reliable, safe, compliant, and built to scale rapidly. You will lead all aspects of facility operations, infrastructure, compliance, and expansion. This is a highly cross-functional role requiring both strategic planning and hands-on execution in a startup environment.

Requirements

8+ years operating facilities or infrastructure in high-performance environments (e.g., advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, energy)
Proven track record of supporting hardware production, testing, or industrial operations
Deep understanding of building systems: power, HVAC, utilities, and their impact on production/manufacturing
Experience leading facility buildouts, expansions, or rapid reconfigurations
Strong working knowledge of OSHA, ADA, safety systems, and regulatory requirements
Demonstrated ability to operate hands-on in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Strong written and verbal communication skills with a customer-service mindset
High level of organization with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder)

Nice To Haves

Experience standing up or scaling a manufacturing site from early stage
Experience with high-power or specialized infrastructure environments
Prior General Contractor license or experience
Familiarity with CMMS or reliability engineering practices
Experience in ITAR and Export Control environments

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end operations of our combined business office and manufacturing facility, ensuring safety, reliability, and operational excellence across all building systems
Oversee maintenance of critical infrastructure (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety), with strong preventive maintenance programs and rapid response
Manage HVAC and environmental systems to maintain required operating conditions for engineering and production while optimizing energy efficiency
Oversee utilities (power, water, gas) including uptime, redundancy planning, capacity forecasting, and cost control
Ensure proper storage systems and compliance for materials, equipment, and regulated items
Oversee physical security and access control systems, ensuring a safe and controlled environment
Manage parking, site traffic flow, and logistics for employees, visitors, and vendors
Ensure clean, well-maintained, and fully functional workspaces, including offices, restrooms, and common areas
Partner with external project management firms, contractors, and architects on construction, renovations, and site expansion
Lead facility build-outs from concept through execution, including budgeting, permitting, and timelines
Ensure all projects meet operational, safety, and compliance standards
Ensure full compliance with OSHA, building codes, fire regulations, and environmental standards
Own audit and inspection readiness across all regulatory bodies
Implement and maintain emergency preparedness plans, and incident response protocols
Serve as the 24/7 emergency point of contact for facility-related issues
Build and manage a high-performing, lean facilities team (technicians, custodial, etc.), with clear accountability and performance standards
Manage third-party vendors (janitorial, maintenance, security, etc.), establishing SLAs and ensuring high-quality, cost-effective service
Lead vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance management
Oversee physical security and access control systems, ensuring a safe and controlled environment