Production Quality Metrology Engineer

Location: Torrance, California, United States

Department: Quality Assurance

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 Regulations & Safety organization, Quality Assurance establishes the systems and standards that ensure products and processes consistently meet the highest levels of quality and compliance. The team promotes continuous improvement and operational excellence across the company. 

The Role 

As Production Quality Metrology Engineer, you will own measurement system integrity for HTGR reactor component and fuel-related production activities. This role sits within the Torrance manufacturing and fuel fabrication environment.

This role serves as the technical authority for calibration, measurement uncertainty, and measurement systems analysis supporting the production floor. You will define and maintain the calibration program, manage the master equipment and standards list, and ensure that every gauge, instrument, and inspection method used in production is capable, traceable, and appropriate for its application. You will work closely with Production Quality Engineers, Supervisors, Technicians, and Inspectors to select and qualify measurement methods, and with Manufacturing Engineering to resolve measurement-driven process issues.

This role supports a mixed in-house and outsourced calibration strategy, leads Gauge R&R and broader Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) studies, and partners with the Quality Department on measurement-related content for Operator Verification Certification (OVC) syllabi. This is a hands-on technical role requiring direct time on the production floor evaluating gauges, instruments, and measurement processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the calibration program, master equipment list, and standards traceability for production measurement and test equipment.
• Manage the mixed strategy of in-house and outsourced calibration activities, including vendor qualification and calibration certificate review.
• Plan and execute Gauge R&R studies and broader Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) activities, evaluating repeatability, reproducibility, bias, stability, and linearity.
• Develop measurement uncertainty budgets and determine appropriate measurement methods, gauges, and sampling strategies for production inspection requirements.
• Partner with Production Quality Engineers and Manufacturing Engineering to resolve measurement-driven nonconformances, process capability issues, and inspection method disputes.
• Support development of measurement-related technical content for Quality Plan Certification Training Syllabi under the Operator Verification Certification (OVC) program.
• Evaluate new gauges, fixtures, and measurement technologies for production use, including first-article qualification of measurement methods.
• Investigate measurement system nonconformances and out-of-tolerance conditions, determining impact to previously accepted product and driving corrective action.
• Mentor Production Quality Technicians and Inspectors on proper use, care, and limitations of dimensional and functional measurement equipment.
• Support internal and external audits of the calibration and measurement systems program.

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

• You think rigorously about measurement uncertainty, traceability, and what a gauge can and cannot tell you.
• You are comfortable owning a technical program end-to-end, from calibration scheduling to root cause of a failed Gauge R&R.
• You can translate statistical measurement concepts into practical guidance operators, technicians, and engineers can act on.
• You balance measurement rigor with production tempo, avoiding both under-control and unnecessary overcapability.
• You take ownership of measurement system issues and drive them to closure rather than escalating and waiting.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Metrology, Quality Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in metrology, calibration engineering, or measurement systems analysis within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Gauge R&R, and measurement uncertainty concepts.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and tolerance requirements to determine appropriate measurement methods.
• Experience managing calibration systems, master equipment lists, or standards traceability programs.
• Comfortable working within active manufacturing environments including exposure to industrial noise, fabrication-related fumes, and changing operational conditions while following all safety protocols.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting nuclear, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or similarly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with NQA-1, ISO/IEC 17025, ANSI/NCSL Z540, ASME, or similar calibration and quality management standards.
• Experience with CMM programming, optical/laser metrology, or other advanced dimensional inspection technologies.
• Experience using statistical analysis tools (Minitab, JMP, or similar) for MSA and measurement uncertainty analysis.
• Experience supporting or implementing Operator Verification Certification (OVC) or similar delegated-verification programs.
• Experience managing outsourced calibration vendor relationships and calibration lab accreditation requirements.

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).