Lead, Graphite Production

The role

The Graphite Production Lead runs day-to-day operations for graphite machining and leads a team of CNC programmers and machinists. This role owns the production schedule, tooling strategy, and quality standards for graphite parts.

What you will do

• Lead, schedule, and mentor a team of CNC programmers and machinists focused on graphite production.
• Own tooling and consumable strategy for graphite machining.
• Review and refine CNC programs and toolpaths for graphite parts.
• Ensure dust collection, ventilation, and PPE protocols are followed.
• Coordinate production priorities and schedules with Management.
• Partner with Engineering and QC on design-for-manufacturability feedback and first-article inspection.
• Maintain 5S, continuous improvement, and quality standards on the graphite production floor.
• Hire, train, and develop team members and conduct performance reviews.

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC machining or programming experience, including experience with graphite or other abrasive materials.
• 3+ years in a lead or supervisory role over a machining or production team.
• Proficiency with CAM software (ESPRIT EDGE, Fusion 360, or similar) for mills and/or lathes.
• Strong understanding of tooling wear, feeds/speeds, and work-holding strategies specific to graphite or other abrasive materials.
• Ability to read and work from complex engineering drawings, GD&T, and CAD models.
• Familiarity with dust collection, ventilation, and safety protocols for machining abrasive/particulate-generating materials.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup manufacturing environment with evolving processes.

Nice to have

• Direct experience machining nuclear-grade or high-purity graphite.
• Experience with in-machine probing for part verification.
• Experience with automation or lights-out programming.
• 5-axis programming experience.
• Experience standing up new machining processes or a new production line from scratch.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Equity ownership
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• Generous PPE stipend

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 is a company working to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable. Their first pilot plant is in Orangeville, Utah.