Instrumentation & Controls Specialist

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' I&C Engineering team within the Fuel Manufacturing group. The I&C Specialist is the bridge between engineering design and working plant hardware, leading commissioning, owning calibration and field troubleshooting, and supervising the technicians who install and maintain the instrumentation. You will work alongside I&C Hardware and Software Engineers, process and mechanical engineers, operations, and nuclear safety in an environment where field execution quality directly supports production reliability and nuclear safety. The team values hands-on expertise, disciplined documentation, and a safety-first culture.

The Role

Valar Atomics is seeking an Instrumentation & Controls Specialist to serve as the site's hands-on expert in instrumentation and control hardware for nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities. This is a field-focused role centered on instrument installation, calibration, configuration, and troubleshooting, with primary responsibility for planning, leading, and executing commissioning activities and for supervising the I&C technician group. The position suits an experienced technical specialist who wants ownership of field execution without moving into a design engineering role.

Key Responsibilities  

• Install, calibrate, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain field instrumentation including flow, pressure, differential pressure, temperature, level, and analytical devices, using manufacturer procedures and site standards.
• Calibrate and maintain final control elements including control valves, actuators, positioners, and regulators; perform bench and in-situ calibration, stroke and response testing, packing and seat maintenance, and valve signature analysis.
• Plan, lead, and execute commissioning activities including commissioning schedule development and sequencing, preparation of loop check and functional test packages, coordination of craft and vendor resources, punch list management, and system turnover to operations.
• Execute and document loop checks, point-to-point continuity checks, calibration verification, and end-to-end interlock testing from sensor through final element; drive punch list items to closure.
• Supervise the I&C technician group including daily work assignment, verification of task qualification and training records, on-the-job training and sign-off, and performance input to I&C leadership.
• Own execution of the instrument calibration program including calibration scheduling and recall, management of standards and test equipment, traceability to NIST-referenced standards, and integrity of calibration records.
• Configure and troubleshoot smart field devices using HART communicators and instrument asset management software; manage device descriptor files, ranging, damping, and diagnostic alarm configuration.
• Terminate and troubleshoot field wiring, panel terminations, and I/O connections; diagnose grounding, shielding, and noise-induced signal problems; verify intrinsic safety installations against entity parameters.
• Install and commission instrumentation in classified hazardous areas in accordance with NEC Article 500/505 or IEC 60079 and applicable installation and work permits.
• Execute safety instrumented system field work including proof testing and documentation, bypass control, and safety device replacement under approved procedures.
• Support control loop tuning and plant startup, working with I&C Engineering to resolve measurement quality, final element response, and loop performance issues.
• Red-line and maintain field documentation including loop diagrams, hook-up drawings, instrument index entries, panel and wiring drawings, and as-built mark-ups; route changes through the engineering document control process.
• Serve as the site technical authority for instrument troubleshooting during operations; respond to plant callouts, perform root cause investigation, and implement and document corrective actions.
• Manage instrument spares and consumables including criticality-based stocking levels, receipt inspection, and vendor coordination for repairs and returns.
• Write and review I&C work packages and job hazard analyses; enforce lockout/tagout, hot work, confined space, radiological work practice, and foreign material exclusion requirements for all I&C field work.
• Provide field feedback to I&C Engineering on instrument selection, installation detail, accessibility, and maintainability for new and modified installations.
• Direct contractor and vendor field crews on I&C installation and commissioning scope; verify workmanship against project standards and nuclear quality requirements before acceptance.

Basic Qualifications  

• Associate degree in Instrumentation, Electronics, Electrical Technology, or a related technical discipline; completion of a recognized instrumentation or electrical apprenticeship; or military nuclear or electronics technician training (Navy ELT, IC, ET, or equivalent). Equivalent hands-on I&C experience will be considered in lieu of a formal credential. A four-year degree is not required.
• Minimum 7+ years of hands-on I&C experience in process, chemical, power, or nuclear facilities.
• Demonstrated experience planning and leading commissioning activities including loop checking, functional testing, punch list closure, and system turnover.
• Expert-level ability to calibrate, configure, and troubleshoot field instrumentation across flow, pressure, temperature, level, and analytical measurement.
• Experience calibrating and maintaining control valves, actuators, and positioners.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, hook-up drawings, panel and wiring schematics, and instrument data sheets.
• Proficiency with HART communicators, calibration equipment, pressure and temperature standards, and electrical test instruments.
• Experience with field wiring and termination practice including grounding, shielding, and signal segregation.
• Working knowledge of hazardous area installation requirements (NEC Article 500/505 or IEC 60079) and intrinsic safety practice.
• Experience supervising or directing technicians or contractor craft crews.
• Ability to work at heights, in confined spaces, and while wearing personal protective equipment including respiratory protection as required.

Preferred Skills and Experience  

• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) Level II or Level III.
• Journeyman electrician license or state instrumentation certification.
• Experience with instrument asset management systems (Emerson AMS, Siemens PDM, Honeywell FDM, or equivalent).
• Experience with analytical instrumentation such as gas analyzers, mass spectrometry, moisture analyzers, pH, and conductivity measurement.
• Experience with radiation monitoring instrumentation, criticality monitoring, or nuclear-qualified instrumentation.
• Experience in nuclear, DOE, or NRC-regulated facilities working under NQA-1 or 10 CFR 50 Appendix B quality programs.
• Experience with instrument work in cleanroom, glovebox, or contamination-controlled environments.
• Experience executing safety instrumented system proof tests and associated IEC 61511 documentation.
• Experience with instrumentation in corrosive, high-purity, high-temperature, or molten salt service.
• Working familiarity with PLC and SCADA systems (Rockwell, Siemens, Ignition, or equivalent) sufficient to verify I/O status and trace signals during troubleshooting.
• Experience with CMMS or work order systems (Maximo, SAP PM, Fiix, or equivalent).
• Experience writing commissioning plans, test procedures, or maintenance procedures.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary 
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company 
• Comprehensive medical benefits 
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch 
• 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).