Jobs · Engineering · California

Test Engineer

Valar Atomics · Los Angeles, CA · 2 wk ago
On-siteEngineering$112k/yrFull-time

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.

About the Team

As part of the Engineering organization, Mechanical Engineering designs and develops the mechanical systems, components, and equipment that power Valar's advanced nuclear technologies. The team ensures designs are robust, manufacturable, and optimized for long-term performance.

Responsibilities

  • Test Stand Design and Execution
    • Design, build, and maintain test stands for evaluating hardware performance, reliability, and compliance
    • Develop test profiles and procedures tailored to specific test objectives such as performance validation, endurance, environmental, and failure analysis
    • Run tests, monitor live data, and adjust test parameters as needed to capture meaningful results
  • Data Acquisition and Integration
    • Set up and maintain data acquisition systems for tests, including remote and unattended data acquisition capability
    • Integrate test stand data streams with existing SCADA and historian infrastructure
    • Process and structure raw test data into clean, usable formats for engineering analysis and reporting
  • Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
    • Troubleshoot issues arising during test execution, including instrumentation, test stand hardware, and data acquisition faults
    • Analyze test data to diagnose root causes of issues in existing product designs
    • Collaborate with design engineers to translate test findings into actionable design recommendations
  • Reporting and Compliance
    • Prepare clear, accurate test reports and supporting documentation
    • Maintain organized records of test procedures, configurations, and results for traceability
    • Present and explain test results and methodology to government regulators and auditors as needed

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience
  • 2+ years of Test Engineering Experience
  • Experience designing and building test stands or test fixtures
  • Familiarity with data acquisition systems and sensor instrumentation
  • Experience with SCADA and historian systems
  • Working knowledge of scripting or data processing tools such as Python, MATLAB, or SQL for data handling and analysis
  • Strong troubleshooting mindset with the ability to diagnose issues from data, not just observation
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting technical results to non-technical or regulatory audiences
  • Experience preparing documentation for regulatory review or compliance audits is a plus

Preferred Skills

  • Bachelor of Science in engineering or related discipline
  • Test stand design experience
  • Data acquisition experience

Benefits

  • 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

Pay

$112,000 USD - $137,000 USD

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