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 Role
The Fire Protection Engineer owns the technical adequacy of the Ward250 Fire Protection Program and its integration into the facility safety basis. This is the FPE of record for the project as defined by DOE-STD-1066-2023, responsible for the Fire Hazards Analysis, fire protection design review, code compliance, program implementation, and interface with DOE as the Safety Basis Approval Authority on fire protection matters. The position reports to the Ward250 Safety Basis Manager.
Ward250 is a DOE Hazard Category 2 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (250 kWth, TRISO fuel, helium coolant) on a 12-month operational mission plus 6-month decommissioning. The facility uses passive safety systems for shutdown and decay heat removal, a hybrid construction approach (Type I fire-resistant interiors within a Type IIB Sprung membrane envelope), clean agent suppression in equipment areas, and no water-based suppression in the Reactor Hall. Emergency fire response relies on a tiered model with Emery County Fire Department as the structural firefighting resource under MOU.
Key Responsibilities
- Fire Hazards Analysis. Maintain, and defend the facility FHA per NE O 420.1 and DOE-STD-1066-2023. Define fire areas, evaluate fire scenarios and Maximum Possible Fire Loss, and establish fire protection requirements for each area.
- Code Compliance. Maintain compliance with the project code of record: NFPA 10, 70, 72, 101, 110, 111, 801, and 2001; ANSI/ANS 15.17; DOE-STD-1066-2023; and Utah Building Code 2021 / IBC 2021. Develop technical justifications for any equivalencies or exemptions, manage AHJ interactions, and maintain records for periodic reevaluation.
- Fire Protection Program. Maintain the documented Fire Protection Program IAW NE O 420.1, Attachment 2, Chapter II. Scope includes combustible material controls, hot-work permits, fire protection system impairment tracking, inspection/testing/maintenance schedules, Baseline Needs Assessment, and integration with the Physical Security Plan.
- Emergency Response Coordination. Support the tiered emergency response strategy including pre-incident planning with Emery County Fire and EMS. Develop firefighting procedures addressing facility-specific constraints — helium atmosphere, radioactive materials, and restrictions on neutron-moderating materials reviewed by the criticality safety SME.
- Safe Shutdown Analysis Support. Verify and maintain the fire-effects-on-safe-shutdown analysis demonstrating that the reactor achieves and maintains safe shutdown under all credible fire conditions, crediting inherent fuel characteristics, passive decay heat removal, and gravity-driven reactor trip.
- Decommissioning. Advise on fire protection requirements during D&D, particularly continued fire detection coverage during hot work operations through Phase 3 site clearance.
Basic Qualifications
Candidates must meet the DOE-STD-1066-2023 definition of Fire Protection Engineer. Specifically:
- Degree in fire protection engineering from an ABET-accredited program, or PE license in fire protection engineering
- Demonstrated experience preparing or technically reviewing Fire Hazards Analyses for DOE Hazard Category 2 or 3 nuclear facilities
- Working knowledge of NE O 420.1 fire protection requirements and DOE-STD-1066-2023 implementation methodology
- Experience with NFPA 801 (facilities handling radioactive materials) and NFPA 2001 (clean agent systems)
- Familiarity with DOE safety basis processes — DSA development, TSR derivation, and SBAA review
- Experience developing or implementing documented fire protection programs at DOE nuclear facilities
- Ability to obtain and maintain DOE site access
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with reactor facilities, particularly gas-cooled or research reactor designs
- Experience defending non-standard fire protection strategies (hybrid construction, suppression exclusion zones) to DOE reviewers
- Familiarity with DOE-STD-3009-2014 and DOE-STD-1237-2021 DSA methodologies
- Baseline Needs Assessment development per NE O 420.1
- Coordination with local AHJs and offsite emergency responders in rural or remote settings
- Knowledge of ANSI/ANS 15.17 (Fire Protection Program Criteria for Research Reactors)
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
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).
