Staff Mechanical Engineer

Valar Atomics • Torrance, CA

13d

About The Position

Valar Atomics is seeking a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to design, develop, and validate mechanical systems and components for advanced power generation. The role is responsible for meeting performance, manufacturability, and cost requirements while bringing products from concept through production. The engineer will provide technical leadership and mentorship, work across engineering and manufacturing teams, and support the development of robust mechanical systems for Valar Atomics' advanced nuclear technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in mechanical design and product development.
• Proven track record of designing and delivering production-ready hardware.
• Expertise in CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or NX, and mechanical drafting standards.
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems.
• Expertise in performing or overseeing FEA and CFD analyses.
• Excellent communication, technical documentation, and leadership skills.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with high-performance or safety-critical systems in aerospace, energy, or defense.
• Deep understanding of DFM/DFA and reliability engineering.
• Familiarity with PLM/PDM tools and design control processes.
• Hands-on prototyping, testing, and validation experience.
• Strong analytical mindset and ability to lead root cause investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design efforts for major subsystems, balancing performance targets, manufacturability, and cost.
• Mentor junior engineers and review mechanical designs for consistency with company standards and engineering rigor.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings using SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar tools, applying advanced GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Perform or oversee structural, thermal, and fluid analyses, including FEA and CFD, to validate system performance and reliability.
• Oversee prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing; interpret results to refine designs and improve system performance.
• Partner with electrical, manufacturing, and systems engineers on integration and design optimization.
• Work with vendors on DFM feedback, manufacturing process selection, and quality control.
• Contribute to internal best practices for mechanical design, documentation, and configuration management.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company.
• Comprehensive medical benefits.
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite.
• 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