Senior Electrical Engineer

Valar Atomics
Torrance, CA
Career-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Experienced electrical engineers with nuclear domain knowledge and strong software proficiency will find this high-impact role in advanced energy systems design.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 5–8 years of industrial electrical design experience and a focus on MV/LV systems
    — “5+ years (typically 5 to 8) of electrical engineering experience in process, industrial, or power projects focused on MV/LV distribution system design”
  • Professionals who have worked on nuclear-classified equipment and safety-critical systems
    — “Experience with nuclear facility electrical design and nuclear classification requirements (IEEE 384, CSA N290.7)”
  • Individuals with a strong background in power system analysis tools and regulatory compliance
    — “Proficiency in power system analysis software (SKM Power Tools, ETAP, or equivalent) with demonstrated experience in load flow, short circuit, and protection coordination studies”

Things to consider

  • The role requires deep technical expertise in electrical design and safety protocols
    — “The team values technical depth, disciplined documentation, speed, and a safety-first culture”
  • Candidates must be prepared to lead vendor evaluations and audits for safety-related equipment
    — “Lead vendor pre-qualification, technical bid evaluation, and award recommendation for major electrical packages”

How to stand out

  • Highlight end-to-end ownership of electrical projects in your resume and interview responses
    — “you will own an electrical scope end-to-end, from studies and specifications through energization”
  • Showcase experience with hazardous area classifications and NEC/IEC standards
    — “specify hazardous area equipment to NEC/CEC 500 or IEC 60079 series”
  • Emphasize your ability to mentor junior engineers and collaborate across disciplines
    — “Mentor and develop junior electrical engineers; coordinate with I&C, civil, and structural disciplines”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • designed and engineered MV and LV electrical systems
  • prepared power system studies
  • specified electrical equipment
Typical background
5+ years of electrical engineering experienceexpertise in nuclear power systems

Skills & requirements

Required

Power System StudiesElectrical Load ListsMV And LV Electrical SystemsElectrical Equipment SpecificationProtection Relay SettingsTechnical Specifications

Preferred

Nuclear SafetyAdvanced Nuclear Sector

Stack & domain

Power System StudiesLoad FlowShort CircuitVoltage DropMotor StartingHarmonic AnalysisArc Flash Hazard AnalysisSubstation Grounding CalculationsTransformersCablesSwitchgear BusesCapacitor BanksUps/battery SystemsSingle Line DiagramsEquipment Arrangement And Layout DrawingsCable SchedulesTray RoutingUnderground Duct Bank DesignsMV SwitchgearLV SwitchboardsMccsDistribution PanelboardsBus DuctsVfdsUPS SystemsStandby Generator PackagesElectrical Area Classification DrawingsHazardous Area EquipmentProtection Relay Settings StudiesTime-current Coordination PlotsProtection RelaysMetering EquipmentRelay Panel Arrangement DrawingsDC Control SchematicsMCC Control Wiring DiagramsTechnical SpecificationsData SheetsVendor BidsVendor DrawingsType Test ReportsQuality PlansFactory Acceptance TestsAbility To Develop And Maintain Electrical Load ListsAbility To Perform Power System StudiesAbility To Prepare Arc Flash Hazard AnalysisAbility To Develop Substation Grounding CalculationsAbility To Size Transformers, Cables, Switchgear Buses, Capacitor Banks, And Ups/battery SystemsAbility To Develop Single Line DiagramsAbility To Prepare Equipment Arrangement And Layout DrawingsAbility To Prepare Cable SchedulesAbility To Prepare Tray Routing And Underground Duct Bank DesignsAbility To Specify MV Switchgear, LV Switchboards, Mccs, Distribution Panelboards, Transformers, Bus Ducts, Vfds, UPS Systems, And Standby Generator PackagesAbility To Prepare Electrical Area Classification DrawingsAbility To Specify Hazardous Area EquipmentAbility To Prepare Protection Relay Settings StudiesAbility To Prepare Time-current Coordination PlotsAbility To Specify Protection Relays And Metering EquipmentAbility To Develop Relay Panel Arrangement DrawingsAbility To Prepare DC Control SchematicsAbility To Prepare MCC Control Wiring DiagramsAbility To Prepare Technical Specifications And Data SheetsAbility To Evaluate Vendor BidsAbility To Review Vendor DrawingsAbility To Review Type Test Reports And Quality PlansAbility To Witness Factory Acceptance TestsElectrical Engineering

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 

You will be joining Valar Atomics' Electrical Engineering team within the Instrumentation, Control & Electrical (IC&E) organization. The team delivers the electrical infrastructure that powers Valar's facilities from utility interconnection through MV distribution, process area LV systems, and emergency power across the reactor program and fuel manufacturing operations. You will work alongside I&C, mechanical, process, and nuclear safety engineers in a hands-on environment where power system integrity directly supports production reliability and nuclear safety, with the opportunity to work on some of the most technically interesting power distribution challenges in the advanced nuclear sector. The team values technical depth, disciplined documentation, speed, and a safety-first culture. 

The Role 

Valar Atomics is seeking Senior Electrical Engineers to design and engineer the medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) electrical systems for our reactor and nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities. The role spans the full electrical discipline scope from power system studies through equipment specification, protection design, installation, and commissioning support covering capital project execution and ongoing plant operations. This is a senior position: you will own an electrical scope end-to-end, from studies and specifications through energization, and provide technical direction to contractors, vendors, and junior engineers. 

Key Responsibilities 

Develop and maintain electrical load lists; perform power system studies including load flow, short circuit (ANSI/IEC), voltage drop, motor starting, and harmonic analysis using SKM Power Tools, ETAP, or equivalent.

Prepare arc flash hazard analysis to IEEE 1584; develop substation grounding calculations to IEEE 80; size transformers, cables, switchgear buses, capacitor banks, and UPS/battery systems.

Develop single line diagrams for MV and LV distribution systems from utility interface through to MCCs and final distribution boards; prepare equipment arrangement and layout drawings, cable schedules, tray routing, and underground duct bank designs.

Specify MV switchgear, LV switchboards, MCCs, distribution panelboards, transformers, bus ducts, VFDs, UPS systems, and standby generator packages; prepare electrical area classification drawings and specify hazardous area equipment to NEC/CEC 500 or IEC 60079 series.

Prepare protection relay settings studies and time-current coordination plots for MV systems; specify protection relays and metering equipment; develop relay panel arrangement drawings, DC control schematics, and MCC control wiring diagrams.

Prepare technical specifications and data sheets for electrical equipment; evaluate vendor bids; review vendor drawings, type test reports, and quality plans; witness factory acceptance tests.

Lead vendor pre-qualification, technical bid evaluation, and award recommendation for major electrical packages; manage vendor document review cycles; lead factory audits for safety-related or nuclear-classified equipment.

Prepare electrical installation specifications; support pre-commissioning activities including insulation testing, continuity checks, relay secondary injection, and equipment energisation; respond to site technical queries.

Coordinate with I&C engineers on motor and drive control interfaces; coordinate with civil and structural disciplines on substation layout and cable penetration requirements.

Mentor and develop junior electrical engineers; represent the electrical discipline at design reviews, HAZOP studies, AHJ meetings, and regulatory interactions; direct contractors and consultants on electrical scope including work assignment, technical review, and deliverable oversight.

Basic Qualifications  

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.

5+ years (typically 5 to 8) of electrical engineering experience in process, industrial, or power projects focused on MV/LV distribution system design.

Proficiency in power system analysis software (SKM Power Tools, ETAP, or equivalent) with demonstrated experience in load flow, short circuit, and protection coordination studies.

Experience preparing arc flash studies to IEEE 1584.

Working knowledge of NEC, IEEE, NEMA, ANSI, CSA C22.1, and IEC 60364 electrical standards.

Proficiency with AutoCAD or equivalent electrical design tools. 

Preferred Skills and Experience  

Professional Engineer (P.E. / P.Eng.) registration or equivalent, EIT designation, or active pursuit thereof.

Experience with nuclear facility electrical design and nuclear classification requirements (IEEE 384, CSA N290.7).

Familiarity with seismically qualified electrical equipment (IEEE 344).

Experience with IEC 61850 substation automation and protection communication.

Experience with DC systems and battery sizing (IEEE 485/1115).

Experience with utility interconnection studies and PPA technical interface requirements. 

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$144,000—$176,000 USD

Source: Valar Atomics careers (Greenhouse)

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