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Director Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical – Reactor

Hawthorne

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

Valar Atomics is developing High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors (HTGR) from first principles spanning early R&D through licensing, construction, and commissioning. The Director of IC&E is a critical technical and organizational leader who will own the full instrumentation, control, and electrical architecture for the reactor plant. This role sits at the intersection of deep engineering and program leadership: you will build and lead the IC&E team while remaining a hands-on technical authority shaping design decisions, safety system philosophy, and regulatory strategy.

We expect most candidates to come from oil & gas, power generation, or advanced industrial sectors. Nuclear experience is valued but not required; what matters is your ability to apply rigorous engineering discipline to first-of-a-kind systems and grow into the nuclear regulatory environment with us.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

  • Own the IC&E design basis for the HTGR, including I&C architecture, safety system logic, plant control systems (PCS), reactor protection systems (RPS), and electrical power distribution
  • Develop and maintain the IC&E design philosophy, functional requirements, and interface control documents (ICDs) across reactor systems
  • Define instrumentation requirements for high-temperature, helium-cooled environments including sensor selection, qualification, and placement strategy
  • Lead development of the control room concept, human factors engineering (HFE) approach, and operator interface design
  • Establish electrical systems design: normal and emergency power, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)

Licensing & Regulatory

  • Serve as IC&E technical lead in DOE & NRC engagement
  • Support development of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) / Safety Analysis Report (SAR) chapters pertaining to I&C and electrical systems
  • Ensure IC&E designs comply with applicable standards

Program & Team Leadership

  • Build, lead, and mentor the IC&E engineering team while hiring, developing, and retaining top talent
  • Define team structure, staffing plans, and competency requirements as the program scales across phases
  • Manage IC&E scope, schedule, and budget within the broader reactor development program
  • Select and manage IC&E vendors, subcontractors, and system integrators; define qualification and acceptance requirements
  • Partner cross-functionally with reactor physics, mechanical, structural, nuclear safety, and systems engineering teams

Phase Continuity

  • Carry IC&E responsibility across all program phases: conceptual design → detailed design → NRC licensing → procurement → construction support → commissioning and startup testing

You Will Be Successful in This Role If 

  • You enjoy solving first-of-a-kind engineering challenges where there is no existing playbook
  • You communicate effectively with executives, regulators, customers, and engineering teams, translating complex technical concepts into clear decisions.
  • You thrive in fast-moving environments where priorities evolve, but safety and engineering quality remain uncompromising.

Basic Qualifications

  • 15+ years of engineering experience in instrumentation, control systems, and/or electrical design for complex, safety-critical industrial facilities (oil & gas, power generation, chemical processing, or similar)
  • Demonstrated experience leading IC&E or I&C engineering teams on major capital projects
  • Deep expertise in process control architectures, safety instrumented systems (SIS), and plant protection logic
  • Familiarity with functional safety standards (IEC 61511, IEC 61513, or equivalent)
  • Experience engaging with regulators, certifying authorities, or third-party verification bodies
  • Proven ability to work across design, procurement, and construction phases of a major project

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Nuclear industry experience (commercial, defense, or national laboratory), particularly I&C or electrical systems for reactor plants
  • Knowledge of DOE or NRC licensing processes
  • Experience with IEEE nuclear I&C standards (603, 7-4.3.2, 338, etc.)
  • Familiarity with neutron instrumentation channels (wide range, source range)
  • Experience with first-of-a-kind or novel reactor designs (SMR, HTGR, advanced reactor)
  • PE license (Instrumentation, Control, or Electrical)

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

$225,000 - $300,000 USD

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