Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or 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 software (SolidWorks, Creo, NX)
Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems
Expertise in FEA and CFD analyses
Excellent communication and leadership skills
Responsibilities
Lead mechanical design efforts for major subsystems
Mentor junior engineers and review mechanical designs
Develop detailed 3D CAD models and engineering drawings
Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses to validate performance
Oversee prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing
Partner with cross-functional teams for design optimization
Manage vendor relationships for DFM feedback and quality control
Benefits
Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
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
Opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology
Full Job Description
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.
The Role
We're seeking a highly skilled Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team and accelerate the frontier of advanced power generation. In this role, you'll be responsible for designing, developing, and validating mechanical systems and components that meet performance, manufacturability, and cost requirements. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative products from concept to production, and serve as a technical leader and mentor for less experienced engineers.
Key Responsibilities
Lead mechanical design efforts for major subsystems, ensuring alignment between performance targets, manufacturability, and cost.
Mentor junior engineers and review mechanical designs to ensure consistency with company standards and engineering rigor.
Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings (SolidWorks, Creo, or NX), applying advanced GD&T and tolerance analysis.
Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses (FEA and CFD) to validate system performance and reliability.
Oversee prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing, and interpret results to refine designs and improve system performance.
Partner with electrical, manufacturing, and systems engineers to drive integration and design optimization.
Work closely with vendors to manage DFM feedback, manufacturing process selection, and quality control.
Contribute to internal best practices for mechanical design, documentation, and configuration management.
Basic 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.
Preferred Skills and Experience
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.
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
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
