Dimensional Inspection & Metrology Specialist

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 Role

You'll be a key member of a small, high-output manufacturing team building real hardware at pace. As Valar's dedicated metrology specialist, you'll own dimensional inspection across both in-house manufactured parts and externally sourced machine shop components. Inspection here is production-critical: dimensional decisions determine whether hardware moves forward or stops, and we need someone with the judgment, discipline, and ownership to make those calls reliably. A strong performer will grow into expanded responsibility over inspection strategy, workflow, and supporting additional team members. This is a fully on-site role in Hawthorne, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform dimensional inspection and GD&T verification on machined and fabricated parts.
• Operate advanced metrology systems including the Keyence VL-870 laser scanner, Keyence WM-6000 large-format handheld scanner, Creaform HandySCAN Silver Elite, Surphaser large-format laser scanners, and the Mitutoyo Apex 7601 CMM.
• Interpret drawings, datums, tolerance schemes, and functional requirements accurately.
• Execute inspection plans appropriate to part function, tolerance, and production urgency.
• Generate clear, actionable inspection reports for engineering and manufacturing.
• Communicate promptly when parts are non-conforming, borderline, or out of scope.
• Identify supplier trends, recurring failure modes, and process drift.
• Maintain inspection traceability, part history, and acceptance documentation.

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

• You exercise strong technical judgment and can distinguish what matters functionally from cosmetic noise.
• You make accept/reject calls confidently and explain your reasoning clearly.
• You raise issues promptly when something is wrong, borderline, or unrealistic.
• You balance detail with throughput when inspection volume increases.
• You produce inspection reports that engineers can trust, with repeatable, disciplined measurement practices.
• You're a self-starter who executes effectively when given the end goal—good part, bad part, why—and knows when to ask for help.
• You're calm, analytical, and honest when something is a problem.
• You take pride in being the person who catches issues before they become mission failures.

Basic Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in dimensional inspection in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T as a functional engineering language (ASME Y14.5), not just symbols on a print.
• Experience with laser scanning and/or handheld scanning workflows.
• Experience with CMM inspection execution and reporting.
• Demonstrated practical decision-making under production constraints.
• Disciplined documentation habits, including organized records and traceability.
• Eligible to access controlled technical information under applicable U.S. export control regulations; eligibility will be verified.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Hawthorne, CA.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with Keyence and/or Creaform software ecosystems.
• Ability to automate reporting or improve inspection workflows.
• Supplier quality experience with outside machine shops.
• Experience inspecting large, complex, or tight-tolerance assemblies.
• Interest in developing deeper metrology expertise and supporting team capability.

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).