Health Physics Technician (HPT)

About the role

Valar Atomics is seeking a Health Physics Technician (HPT) to help establish and maintain world-class radiological protection programs supporting the development, commissioning, and operation of advanced nuclear facilities. This role involves active partnership with operations, maintenance, engineering, and radiation protection teams to ensure work is executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform radiological surveys including radiation, contamination, and airborne radioactivity assessments to characterize facility and worksite conditions.
• Provide continuous or intermittent radiological coverage for operations, maintenance, construction, and testing activities.
• Verify compliance with Radiological Work Permits (RWPs), work controls, and radiological protection requirements.
• Exercise stop-work authority when radiological conditions change or personnel safety may be compromised.
• Establish and maintain radiological postings, barriers, access controls, and contamination control boundaries.
• Issue, track, and maintain personnel dosimetry, radiological monitoring equipment, and protective equipment.
• Conduct contamination surveys, smear/swipe surveys, and personnel monitoring activities.
• Operate and maintain health physics instrumentation including ion chambers, GM survey meters, contamination monitors, friskers, and air sampling equipment.
• Support implementation of ALARA principles and radiological work planning activities.
• Serve as a member of the emergency response organization, providing radiological assessment and support during abnormal or emergency conditions.
• Generate accurate, complete, and technically defensible survey records, logs, and documentation.
• Support audits, inspections, procedure development, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and safety teams to execute work safely and efficiently.
• Help build and continuously improve radiological protection processes, procedures, and standards as Valar scales its operations.

Basic Qualifications

• Aceessory's degree or higher in Health Physics, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Technology, or a related scientific discipline; OR
• A High School Diploma (or equivalent) and completion of a formal Health Physics Technician qualification program, including:
• U.S. Navy Engineering Laboratory Technician (ELT)
• ANSI/ANS commercial nuclear qualification program
• DOE-HDBK-1122 qualification program
• Equivalent recognized HPT qualification program
• Current National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT) certification
• Experience performing radiological surveys involving alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation.
• Experience conducting contamination surveys and smear/swipe sampling.
• Proficiency operating portable health physics instrumentation and radiological monitoring equipment.
• Work experience in a highly regulated nuclear or industrial environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify changing radiological conditions in the field.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technicians, engineers, operators, and management personnel.
• Willingness to relocate to Utah to support facility operations.
• Ability to travel periodically to Valar headquarters in Hawthorne, California.
• Ability to work in industrial environments while wearing required PPE and radiological protection equipment.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Previous experience supporting Department of Energy (DOE) facilities, national laboratories, or DOE contractors.
• Commercial nuclear power experience.
• Experience supporting reactor operations, startup, commissioning, maintenance, or refueling activities.
• Familiarity with reactor systems and associated radiological hazards.
• Current NRRPT certification.
• Experience working in highly regulated nuclear or industrial environments.
• Strong understanding of 10 CFR 835 requirements and radiological protection best practices.
• Experience supporting emergency preparedness and response organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify hazards, challenge unsafe conditions, and uphold a strong safety culture.
• Experience helping develop or improve radiological protection programs, procedures, or work controls.