Radiological Operations Technician

Valar Atomics•Orangeville, UT

About The Position

We are looking for a Radiological Operations Technician - a true "Hybrid HPT" - who refuses to be pigeonholed. You are the bridge between Fuel Operations and Safety. Modeled after the elite Engineering Laboratory Technicians (ELTs) of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, this role combines the hands-on duties of a Fuel/Plant Operator with the technical expertise of a Health Physics Technician. You won't just be writing permits; you’ll be turning valves. You won't just be monitoring dose; you’ll be operating advanced fuel manufacturing systems. This role begins with an intensive onboarding period at our HQ in Los Angeles before deploying to our pilot site in Utah.

Requirements

Education: High School Diploma (or equivalent) AND documented completion of a formal, recognized HPT qualification program (e.g., U.S. Navy ELT, ANSI/ANS-3.1 commercial nuclear qualification, or DOE-HDBK-1122 program).
OR An Associate’s degree (or higher) in Health Physics, Radiation Protection, or a related science.
Experience: 2+ years of experience in radiological controls AND industrial/plant operations.
Technical Proficiency:
Demonstrated proficiency in performing radiological surveys and contamination control (specifically with alpha/uranium hazards).
Strong understanding of 10 CFR 835 principles (ALARA, Posting, RWPs).
Ability to operate portable health physics instruments (ion chambers, frisker-meters, air samplers).
Flexibility: Ability to relocate to Los Angeles temporarily for training, then to Utah for ongoing operations.

Nice To Haves

Navy ELT Experience: Previous qualification as a U.S. Navy Engineering Laboratory Technician is highly applicable to this hybrid model.
Fuel Fabrication Experience: Specific experience with uranium handling, gloveboxes, or chemical process lines.
NRRPT Certification: Current certification by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists.
Micro-Reactor Knowledge: Familiarity with TRISO fuel systems, helium coolant loops, or high-temperature process systems.

Responsibilities

Fuel Line Operations: Operate and monitor pilot TRISO fuel fabrication equipment. You will be hands-on with the chemistry and mechanics of fuel production.
Champion Radiation Safety: Serve as the embedded Health Physics authority on the production floor. Perform radiological surveys (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron), manage contamination controls during fuel handling, and oversee air monitoring sampling.
Reactor Plant Support: Support reactor startups, shutdowns, and maintenance evolutions by providing immediate radiological coverage and operational assistance.
Control Work: Generate and execute Radiological Work Permits (RWPs). You understand the process because you run the process, allowing you to write permits that are safe, practical, and efficient.
Cross-Functional Support: Support process control, material handling, and quality assurance. When the plant needs a hand, you’re ready to jump in—whether it’s calibrating an instrument or troubleshooting a pump.
Emergency Response: Act as the immediate responder for radiological events, providing rapid assessment and mitigation to protect your team.