Rotordynamics Engineer, Turbomachinery
torrance, ca, usa
USD 140k-215k / year + Equity
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
As part of the Engineering organization, Power Conversion develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical power. The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.
The Role
Valar Atomics is seeking a rotordynamics engineer to join the turbomachinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role, you’ll be responsible for analyzing the rotating group for Valar’s power generation turbomachinery. You’ll be working with cross-functional team members to define a manufacturable, high efficiency, robust design. As an early hire in turbomachinery, you will be able to directly influence design decisions on the system architecture.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze rotating groups for acceptable rotordynamic margin
- Work closely with secondary flow and seal engineers to define acceptable seal clearances
- Define balance requirements and procedures for rotating group
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Minimum 3 years of experience conducting rotordynamic analyses
- Experience analyzing rotating systems for lateral and torsional rotordynamic response
- Experience defining balancing requirements for turbomachinery
- Experience with high speed rotating equipment in gas turbines, steam turbines, blowers, turboexpanders, turbopumps, etc.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Experience diagnosing or root causing vibration/rotordynamic failures of equipment
- Experience with industry rotordynamic standards API 617, API 684, etc.
- Experience with vibration signal processing
- Experience with commercially available rotordynamic analysis packages (AxStream, Concepts NREC, Dyrobes)
- Experience with supercritical C02
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).