Junior IT Engineer

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

You'll be a new member of a small but growing, high-impact IT team at Valar Atomics. The role splits between day-to-day corporate IT support and IT/OT work at our test reactor site. You'll own well-scoped projects end-to-end, partner closely with our MSP, keep our users productive, and keep our infrastructure tight and well documented. This is a junior role with responsibilities scoped accordingly, but in a rapidly growing company there is meaningful room to grow as you demonstrate the ability to deliver. This is a fully on-site role in Hawthorne, CA, with occasional travel to our reactor site in Orangeville, UT.

Key Responsibilities

- Handle Tier 1 and Tier 2 help desk intake, triage, and resolution; escalate smartly to the MSP and track SLAs.

- Lead documentation and SOP creation, formalizing, improving, and documenting existing processes—this is a critical part of the role.

- Assist with server rack buildouts, including power budgeting, labeling, cabling standards, and clean documentation (rack elevations, diagrams).

- Support security systems (badging and access control, cameras, NVRs) with basic install and maintenance and vendor coordination.

- Set up, manage, and maintain Windows, macOS, and Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) endpoints, including both servers and workstations.

- Maintain Microsoft 365 and Active Directory, including users, groups, policy, device join, and basic MDM.

- Stage and configure network switches (VLANs, trunk/access ports, PoE), document port maps, and validate with basic packet capture.

- Implement and manage firewalls, including rules, NAT, VPN, segmentation, change control, and logging.

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

- You're passionate about technology, networking, and digital infrastructure, and you build your skills on your own time through personal projects or a homelab.

- You're a constant learner who's energized by what you don't know yet rather than discouraged by it.

- You troubleshoot methodically and data-driven, comfortable diving deep into OS settings and network traffic analysis.

- You're a self-starter who executes well when given the end goal and knows when to ask for help.

- You communicate clearly and early when something is unrealistic or a problem.

- You document thoroughly, producing SOPs, change logs, and diagrams that hold up under real use.

- You're level-headed and solution-focused, especially when things break.

Basic Qualifications

- Hands-on experience supporting users in a help desk or customer support environment (retail or corporate).

- Working experience with Windows, macOS, and Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) endpoints.

- Experience deploying and configuring network switches (VLANs, trunking, PoE).

- Experience configuring and managing firewalls (rules, NAT, VPN, segmentation).

- Experience with rack and cabling work, including documentation.

- Experience supporting security systems (access control and cameras).

- Experience administering Microsoft 365 and Active Directory.

- Strong written documentation skills, including SOPs, change requests, and visual diagrams (cable maps, network topology).

- Ability to plan, communicate, prioritize, and deliver scoped projects.

- Eligible to access controlled technical information under applicable U.S. export control regulations (e.g., DOE 10 CFR Part 810); eligibility will be verified.

- Based in or willing to relocate to Hawthorne, CA.

Preferred Skills and Experience

- Basic scripting in PowerShell, Python, or Bash for automation.

- MDM and endpoint management experience, including Intune and macOS management.

- Monitoring and observability experience with Syslog, SNMP, NMS, or SIEM tools.

- OT awareness, including the Purdue model and segmentation basics, PLCs, and the Rockwell Automation software stack.

- Compliance and controls familiarity, including asset inventories, least privilege, backups, and change control.

- Interest in nuclear power and the power grid.

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

$80,000—$100,000 USD