Staff Mechanical Engineer

The role

You will design, develop, and validate mechanical systems and components. You will work with cross-functional teams to bring products from concept to production and serve as a technical leader.

What you will do

• Lead mechanical design efforts for major subsystems
• Mentor junior engineers and review mechanical designs
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings
• Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses
• Oversee prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing
• Partner with electrical, manufacturing, and systems engineers
• Work closely with vendors to manage DFM feedback and quality control
• Contribute to internal best practices for mechanical design and documentation

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design and product development
• Proven track record of designing and delivering production-ready hardware
• Expertise in CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar) and mechanical drafting standards
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems
• Expertise in performing or overseeing FEA and CFD analyses
• Excellent communication, technical documentation, and leadership skills

Nice to have

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Experience in high-performance or safety-critical systems (aerospace, energy, or defense)
• Deep understanding of DFM/DFA and reliability engineering
• Familiarity with PLM/PDM tools and design control processes
• Hands-on prototyping, testing, and validation experience
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to lead root cause investigations

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Equity ownership
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• 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

Before you apply

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

About the company

Valar Atomics aims to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable. The company is a team of builders, engineers, and operators focused on advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication.