Principal Nuclear Instrumentation & Controls Engineer – Hardware

Valar Atomics•Torrance, CA

10d•$196,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Valar Atomics is seeking a Principal Nuclear Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to own the technical direction of nuclear instrumentation plant design for its high-temperature gas-cooled reactor program. The role spans neutron flux detection, radiation monitoring, reactor protection system sensors and signal chains, and process instrumentation in nuclear service. It focuses on measurement architecture, instrumentation application and qualification strategy, and design authority—not routine design execution or instrument and detector development. The Principal Engineer defines the reactor measurement architecture and instrumentation application strategy for a first-of-a-kind reactor, holds final technical approval within assigned domains for safety-significant instrumentation designs and qualification bases, directs resolution of the program’s most difficult measurement application problems, represents the discipline in licensing and regulatory engagements, and develops the organization’s engineering capability. The position is part of Valar Atomics’ Instrumentation, Control & Electrical organization and works on the reactor program alongside I&C, electrical, reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, and nuclear safety engineers. The work emphasizes technical depth, disciplined documentation, and a safety-first culture. Valar Atomics describes itself as 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 Nuclear, Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
10+ years of experience in nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection systems, or reactor I&C, including substantial nuclear application.
Demonstrated ownership of nuclear instrumentation or detection system scope across multiple significant programs, including at least one taken from concept or requirements through qualification, deployment, and initial operation.
Track record of architecture-level technical leadership defining measurement strategy, instrumentation architecture, or design bases adopted across a program or organization.
Recognized technical authority in at least one deep domain area, evidenced by design authority roles, published work, standards participation, or a verifiable reputation as a final technical reference.
Deep, hands-on command of detector physics and operating regimes, wide-range channel design across pulse, fluctuation, and current modes, analog signal-chain engineering, qualification methodology (IEEE 323/344), and nuclear I&C standards (IEEE 603, IEEE 497, IEC 61513).
Experience with formal approval or independent-review authority over safety-related or safety-significant instrumentation designs, analyses, or qualification bases.
Experience directing and developing other engineers, including senior-level engineers, and reviewing and approving their work as a formal checker or design authority.
Experience representing an engineering discipline to external parties such as regulators, licensing bodies, standards organizations, major vendors, or client design authorities.
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

Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in nuclear engineering, physics, or a related field.
Direct experience with NRC licensing interactions, safety analysis instrumentation content, or defending instrumentation design bases before a regulator.
Experience defining instrumentation strategy for first-of-a-kind, advanced, or test reactors, particularly high-temperature gas-cooled or other non-LWR designs.
Experience applying instrumentation in advanced, test, or first-of-a-kind reactor plant designs, including harsh-environment installations, MI cable systems, and vessel or containment penetration interfaces.
Setpoint and uncertainty methodology expertise (ISA-67.04 or equivalent) at a methodology-ownership level.
Participation in IEEE NPEC, IEC SC45A, or equivalent standards development.
Working experience under NQA-1 / 10 CFR 50 Appendix B quality programs at a program-governance level.

Responsibilities

Define and own reactor measurement architecture, including neutron flux measurement across startup, intermediate, and power ranges; reactor protection system sensors; radiation monitoring; and primary-loop process measurements in high-temperature helium service.
Author and own instrumentation design-basis, signal-chain design philosophy, setpoint and uncertainty methodology, and environmental and radiation qualification basis documents.
Own instrumentation application strategy for first-of-a-kind reactor conditions, including technology and vendor selection, application-specific qualification, plant and future-unit standardization, supply continuity, and obsolescence strategy.
Set the framework and priorities for the discipline’s standards program, delegate authorship, approve standards for release, and drive convergence across the program.
Evaluate emerging measurement technologies and decide whether to adopt, pilot, or exclude them, balancing capability, qualification burden, licensing risk, and long-term supportability.
Serve as discipline design authority, providing final technical approval within assigned domains for safety-significant instrumentation designs, qualification bases and dispositions, design-basis deviations, and concessions; adjudicate technical disputes and represent the discipline in cross-discipline conflicts.
Own technical integrity of reactor protection instrumentation within assigned domains, including channel architecture, independence and separation, qualification pedigree, and approval of safety-significant design changes.
Lead discipline participation in major program reviews, including preliminary and critical design reviews, safety analysis and licensing reviews, qualification reviews, and instrumentation readiness reviews for fuel load, startup testing, and power ascension.
Direct investigations of significant instrumentation problems and anomalies, approve corrective-action strategies, and ensure findings are incorporated into design bases, standards, and training.
Personally execute or lead measurement engineering for problems whose consequence or novelty warrants the discipline’s most senior engineers.
Contribute to and defend instrumentation content in safety analysis and licensing bases, including measurement capability claims, protection system design bases, setpoint and uncertainty methodology, and qualification arguments; support regulatory interactions and audits.
Represent Valar Atomics to strategic instrumentation vendors, manage long-term technical relationships and qualification expectations, maintain supply continuity for critical detectors, and escalate systemic vendor issues.
Represent the company in relevant industry and standards forums and incorporate emerging standards and regulatory developments into program strategy.
Build the organization’s engineering capability by defining competencies, shaping role definitions and technical career ladders with the Director, setting hiring standards, and leading technical interviews for senior positions.
Mentor staff and senior engineers toward independent technical authority by delegating ownership with oversight.
Advise IC&E leadership on technical risk, resourcing, and program sequencing, and provide independent judgment on schedule and cost pressures where they affect measurement integrity and reactor safety.
Maintain disciplined engineering records consistent with nuclear quality requirements and ensure traceability of design decisions, analyses, and test results.

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