Mechanisms Technician

Valar Atomics
Torrance, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level to senior mechanical technicians with hands-on experience who thrive in high-reliability domains and can work on first-of-a-kind hardware in a collaborative engineering environment.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with hands-on mechanical assembly experience and a willingness to contribute to design improvements
    — “Recommend design changes that make parts easier to manufacture, assemble, and inspect.”
  • Individuals who can work collaboratively with engineers to develop new procedures and manuals
    — “Work with engineers to determine assembly sequences, tooling, and methods for first-of-a-kind hardware.”
  • Technicians with a strong background in nuclear or high-reliability industries
    — “Experience in nuclear, aerospace, naval, defense, or other high-reliability industries.”

Things to consider

  • The role demands a high level of accuracy, as installed hardware cannot be serviced or repaired
    — “Build systems correctly the first time, with the understanding that installed hardware can't be serviced or repaired.”
  • Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US as a citizen or green card holder
    — “Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with precision tools and assembly of complex mechanical systems
    — “Proficiency with precision measuring tools, including micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, dial indicators, and torque tools.”
  • Showcase ability to document builds thoroughly with attention to detail
    — “Document every build in full, including torque values, measurements, fits, clearances, materials, and the standards followed.”
  • Emphasize past contributions to technical manuals or assembly procedures
    — “Experience writing or contributing to assembly procedures or technical manuals.”
  • Demonstrate understanding of nuclear or high-reliability industry standards
    — “Experience with ASME pressure vessel or piping codes (Section III or VIII, B31.1, B31.3).”
  • Include relevant certifications like rigging, crane, or forklift operation
    — “Rigging, crane, or forklift certification.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • assembled safety-critical mechanical systems
  • wrote assembly procedures
  • improved design manufacturability
Typical background
mechanical assembly rolesnuclear industry experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical AssemblyPrecision MeasuringGD&TQuality ControlAssembly Procedures

Preferred

Nuclear Industry ExperienceHigh-reliability Industry Experience

Stack & domain

Mechanical AssemblyCAD Model InterpretationPrecision Measuring ToolsGD&T

About the role

Original posting from Valar Atomics via Greenhouse

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 Team 

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

The Role 

We're looking for a Mechanisms Technician to build some of the most safety-critical hardware in our nuclear reactor. The systems you assemble will be sealed inside the reactor and can't be serviced once installed, so they have to be built right the first time, every time.

This is a first-of-a-kind role. You'll take a CAD model or drawing and a set of loose parts and turn them into a correct, working system, often with no existing procedure to follow. You'll work with pumps, turbines, gearboxes, large piping, pressure vessels, and other precision mechanical equipment. Working side by side with our engineers, you'll figure out how each system should be built, help write the procedures and manuals, and feed what you learn on the floor back into the design.

This role suits someone with an engineering mindset and real hands-on skill, who takes pride in precise work and doesn't mind getting their hands dirty.

Key Responsibilities 

Assemble safety-critical mechanical systems for a nuclear reactor from CAD models, engineering drawings, and parts lists, including pumps, turbines, gearboxes, piping, and pressure vessels.

Build systems correctly the first time, with the understanding that installed hardware can't be serviced or repaired.

Work with engineers to determine assembly sequences, tooling, and methods for first-of-a-kind hardware.

Help write and refine assembly procedures, work instructions, and system manuals based on hands-on builds.

Recommend design changes that make parts easier to manufacture, assemble, and inspect.

Document every build in full, including torque values, measurements, fits, clearances, materials, and the standards followed.

Inspect parts and assemblies for conformance to drawings and specifications.

Follow strict quality, cleanliness, and foreign material exclusion (FME) practices.

Troubleshoot assembly problems and help engineering resolve nonconformances.

Basic Qualifications  

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and GD&T.

Proficiency with precision measuring tools, including micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, dial indicators, and torque tools.

Working knowledge of fits, tolerances, fasteners, bearings, seals, and shaft alignment.

Clear, accurate written documentation skills.

Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality over speed.

Ability to lift heavy components, work in a shop environment, and use rigging and lifting equipment safely.

Preferred Skills and Experience  

Experience in nuclear, aerospace, naval, defense, or other high-reliability industries.

Familiarity with quality programs such as NQA-1, AS9100, or ISO 9001.

Experience with ASME pressure vessel or piping codes (Section III or VIII, B31.1, B31.3).

Experience building prototypes or first-article assemblies.

Experience writing or contributing to assembly procedures or technical manuals.

Rigging, crane, or forklift certification.

Experience with laser alignment, leak testing, or pressure testing.

Associate degree or certificate in mechanical technology, or equivalent military or trade training.

An engineering mindset, with the ability to understand why a system is designed the way it is and suggest practical improvements.

What We Offer  

Competitive base salary 

Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company 

Comprehensive medical benefits 

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$40—$50 USD

Source: Valar Atomics careers (Greenhouse)

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