Fire Protection Engineer

About 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.

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.
• Decommissioning. Advise on fire protection requirements during D&D, particularly continued fire detection coverage during hot work operations through Phase 3 site clearance.

Requirements

• 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
• 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)

Benefits

Additional Information

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.

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