Director Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical – Power Conversion

About Valar AtomicsAt 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 TeamAs 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 Our HTGR power conversion system will be built around a secondary loop Brayton cycle, high-speed turbomachinery operating on helium, sCO2, and even air at extreme temperatures and pressures, paired with development generator sets and a purpose-built test facility program. The Director of IC&E for Power Conversion owns the full instrumentation, control, and electrical architecture across this system: from early R&D and rig design through test facility construction, commissioning, and ultimately integrated plant operation. This role demands someone who can operate at two levels simultaneously with a hands-on technical authority who understands turbomachinery dynamics, high-speed generator control, and test system instrumentation at a deep level, and a team leader who builds and develops the IC&E organization around the power conversion program. Candidates from oil & gas, aerospace propulsion, industrial turbomachinery, or power generation are strongly preferred. Nuclear background is a plus, not a prerequisite. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership — Turbomachinery & Power Conversion Own the IC&E design basis for the primary to secondary coolant loop Brayton cycle power conversion unit (PCU), including compressor, turbine, recuperator, and intercooler control systemsDefine instrumentation strategy for high-speed rotating machinery — shaft dynamics, vibration monitoring, tip clearance, temperature, pressure, and flow measurement in helium environmentsDevelop control system architecture for turbomachinery startup, shutdown, load following, trip logic, and speed/load governingLead IC&E design for development generator sets — excitation systems, voltage regulation, synchronization, protection relays, and grid interface or islanded operation schemesEstablish electrical power distribution design for the power conversion facility: MV/LV switchgear, variable frequency drives (VFDs), power electronics, and auxiliary systems Test Facility Design, Construction & Commissioning Lead IC&E scope for the design and construction of turbomachinery development and test facilities — from instrumentation layout and data acquisition architecture through facility electrical designOwn IC&E commissioning planning and executionEstablish instrumentation calibration programs, measurement uncertainty budgets, and data quality standards for development testing Program & Team Leadership Build, lead, and mentor the power conversion IC&E engineering team across disciplines, controls, instrumentation, electrical, and data systemsDefine team structure, staffing plans, and competency roadmap as the program scales from R&D through construction and commissioning phasesManage IC&E scope, schedule, and budget within the broader power conversion programSelect and manage IC&E vendors, system integrators, and instrumentation suppliers; define qualification, calibration, and acceptance requirementsCollaborate closely with turbomachinery, mechanical, thermal-hydraulics, systems engineering, and the reactor IC&E team to ensure integrated plant control architecture is coherent across the PCU–reactor interface Phase Continuity Carry IC&E ownership across all power conversion program phases: conceptual design → detailed engineering → test facility procurement and construction → commissioning and integrated testing → reactor plant integration You Will Be Successful in This Role If You enjoy solving first-of-a-kind engineering challenges where there is no existing playbookYou 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 rotating machinery, turbomachinery, or high-performance industrial systemsDemonstrated hands-on experience with turbomachinery control systems — speed governing, surge protection, bearing monitoring, trip logic, or equivalentExperience leading IC&E scope on test facilities, development rigs, or capital construction projectsStrong foundation in electrical systems design: switchgear, motor drives, protection and controls, and facility power distributionExperience managing IC&E teams and vendor relationships across multiple project phases Preferred Skills and Experience Experience with high-speed generators, excitation systems, and power conversion electronicsBackground in Brayton cycle, gas turbine, or compressor-expander systemsFamiliarity with helium or other working fluid systems and associated instrumentation challenges (low viscosity, high thermal conductivity, leak detection)Experience with high-bandwidth data acquisition systems and dynamic measurement in rotating machinery applicationsNuclear industry experience, commercial, defense, or national laboratory particularly in power conversion or balance-of-plant systemsKnowledge of relevant standards: API 670 (machinery protection), IEEE 1023 (nuclear BOP control), IEC 61511 (functional safety), NFPA 70/79PE license (Instrumentation, Control, or Electrical) a plus What We Offer Competitive base salary Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company Comprehensive medical benefits Unlimited PTOFree daily lunch and dinner provided onsite Generous PPE stipendHigh-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 upEqual Employment Opportunity StatementValar 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 USD - $300,000 USD