Job Description

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 Manufacturing organization, the Fabrication/Weld Shop produces complex structural and mechanical assemblies that meet demanding quality and performance requirements. The team combines skilled craftsmanship with disciplined manufacturing practices to support production. The Role Valar Atomics is looking for a Senior Welder to fabricate precision components for our modular nuclear reactor systems. You will perform high-integrity welds on pressure vessels, piping, and structural assemblies, working closely with engineering and quality teams to meet demanding nuclear-grade specifications. This is a hands-on shop-floor role critical to building first-of-a-kind hardware. Key Responsibilities Perform GTAW/TIG, GMAW, and SMAW welds on carbon steel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys to nuclear-grade specifications. Read and interpret blueprints, weld symbols, and engineering drawings for pressure vessels and structural assemblies. Perform in-process and final visual inspection of welds; coordinate with QC for NDE (dye penetrant, radiographic, ultrasonic) testing. Maintain and calibrate welding equipment; select correct filler metals, shielding gases, and parameters per WPS. Mentor junior welders and enforce shop safety, quality, and 5S standards on the floor. Document weld travelers, certifications, and non-conformances in accordance with quality management procedures. Basic Qualifications 5+ years of professional welding experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, or heavy industrial environment. AWS Certified Welder (or equivalent) with demonstrated proficiency in GTAW (TIG) on stainless steel and exotic alloys. Ability to read and work from complex engineering drawings, weld symbols, and WPS documentation. Experience with pressure vessel or code welding (ASME Section IX, B31.3, or similar) strongly preferred. Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup manufacturing environment with evolving processes. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in a shop-floor setting with appropriate PPE. Preferred Skills and Experience Experience welding in nuclear, aerospace, or other highly regulated quality environments. Orbital welding experience for small-diameter precision tubing. Familiarity with ASME Section IX / Section III code welding and NDE processes. Prior experience standing up welding processes or procedures in a new manufacturing line. Forklift, overhead crane, or rigging certification.

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). Salary: $35 USD - $50 USD

How this job compares in Los Angeles, CA

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Los Angeles, CA currently run a median of $43/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $32–$60/hr across 56 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Los Angeles, CA

We're tracking 103 other active welding openings in Los Angeles, CA right now, from 64 different employers. 58 of them were added in the last week. Across California as a whole we're tracking 650 other active welding openings from 315 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Los Angeles, or widen the search to California.

Valar Atomics currently has 12 other openings live in California, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in California at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are SpaceX (34), Honeywell Aerospace (16), and Aerotek (13). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within California, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Redondo Beach at $72/hr, Santa Ana at $53/hr, and Long Beach at $49/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG, TIG, and Stick work. MIG (GMAW) feeds a continuous wire electrode through a shielding-gas nozzle. It lays down metal fast and is forgiving on clean material, which is why it dominates production and light fabrication work. TIG (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with filler added by hand, giving the operator the most control of any process. It is slow, demanding, and the standard for stainless, aluminum, and anything where the bead has to look as good as it holds.

Certifications this posting mentions

  • ASME Section IXthe ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code qualification. It covers welding on pressure-retaining equipment — boilers, vessels, and process piping — where a failed weld is a safety incident rather than a rework ticket.

Read straight from this posting's text. Confirm the exact qualification the employer wants before you test — requirements vary by shop even under the same code.

Similar openings near Los Angeles, CA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Senior Welder figures were last recalculated when this page was built.