Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer – Nuclear

Posted 8/5/2026 · last confirmed live 8/26/2026

About Valar Atomics 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. The Team   As part of the  Engineering  organization, Instrumentations & Controls designs the systems that monitor, automate, and protect Valar's facilities and reactor technologies. The team develops reliable control architectures that enable safe and efficient operations.   The Role   You will serve as a senior technical authority for nuclear instrumentation and controls (I&C) systems with a focus on  neutron detection ,  detector signal processing electronics , and  radiation monitoring equipment . This role supports reactor design, test operations, and safety- significant  monitoring systems, ensuring compliance with nuclear industry codes and standards. You will lead design efforts, system integration, vendor oversight, safety evaluations, and commissioning activities for reactor protection and radiation monitoring systems.   Key Responsibilities   Instrumentation & Detection Systems   Lead design, specification, selection, and integration of  neutron detectors  (e.g., fission chambers, boron-lined detectors) and associated  signal conditioning electronics  (wide-range, source range channels).   Design and validate  radiation monitoring systems  including area monitors, process radiation monitors, stack monitors, and coolant activity systems.   Oversee detector placement, shielding design, and response characterization (in-core and ex-core).   Perform calibration strategies and uncertainty analyses for neutron flux power range, intermediate range, and startup-range instrumentation.   I&C Engineering   Develop and maintain I&C architectures for safety-related and non-safety systems in accordance with  IEEE 603, IEC 61508, and DOE guidance .   Produce and review engineering deliverables: control logic, loop diagrams, instrument datasheets, architecture drawings, control narratives, and functional requirement specifications.   Execute I&C system modeling, failure modes analysis, response time calculations, and SIL/Category/Level classification (per IEC/ISA standards).   Design interfaces to PLCs, safety-significant controllers, distributed I/O, and high-reliability digital platforms.   Guide system integration with reactor protection, and radiation monitoring systems.   Testing, Validation, and Qualification   Lead  Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) ,  Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) , environmental qualification (EQ), and seismic qualification for sensitive instrumentation.   Develop calibration, maintenance, and surveillance procedures for neutron and radiation detectors.   Support performance testing, flux mapping, channel operability checks, trip setpoint verification, and acceptance criteria development.   Regulatory & Standards Compliance   Ensure system designs adhere to nuclear regulatory requirements, including DOE Reg Guides, IEEE standards, IAEA SSG-39, and ANS/ANS-related instrumentation standards.   Prepare and review technical documentation for licensing, safety basis, and hazard analysis activities.   Participate in I&C-related inputs and support for deterministic safety analyses.   Leadership & Collaboration   Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across interdisciplinary teams.   Collaborate with reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, electrical engineering, and operations teams to meet program requirements.   Interface with vendors, labs, and regulatory bodies on detector procurement, radiation monitoring equipment, and safety systems.   Basic Qualifications     Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.   8+ years  of experience in nuclear I&C, radiation detection, reactor protection, or related areas.   Hands-on experience with:   Neutron detectors (fission chambers, B-10 proportional counters)   Signal processing electronics (wide-range, source range channels)   Area/process radiation monitors and environmental monitoring instrumentation   Strong understanding of nuclear standards: IEEE 603, ANSI/ANS-specific radiation monitoring standards   Experience with safety classification, SIL analysis, FMEA, and hazard analysis.   Ability to lead technical projects and cross-functional engineering efforts.   Preferred Skills and Experience     Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering or related field.   Experience with HTGR, sodium-cooled, or research reactor designs.   Experience with data acquisition systems, digital I&C platforms, and PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley).   Familiarity with radiation transport modeling and detector response simulations.   Experience with environmental qualification per IEEE 323 and seismic qualification per IEEE 344.   Prior regulatory engagement (NRC, DOE, INL, ORNL, etc.).   Experience writing safety basis documents, technical reports, or licensing submittals.   What We Offer    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  The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). Salary $173,000 — $211,000 USD

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