Facility Security Officer
Valar Atomics · Torrance · $230,000–$250,000 (stated in the posting)
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
Valar Atomics is seeking an experienced Facility Security Officer (FSO) to manage the company industrial security program under 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM), applicable controlled unclassified information (CUI) requirements implementing 32 CFR Part 2002, and export control compliance support under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and 10 CFR Part 810. The FSO turns these requirements into practical procedures that personnel can follow.
This is a hands-on program building role. We are looking for someone who has run a security program, carried it through government inspections, and dealt directly with government security representatives.
The FSO is a Valar employee appointed in writing by the Senior Management Official (SMO), serves on the key management personnel (KMP) list, and supervises and directs measures to protect classified information and comply with export control regimes and requirements.
Key Responsibilities
This role leads personnel security, facility clearance and FOCI administration, information protection, security training, self-inspection, incident reporting and supports export control compliance. It coordinates with IT, Legal, HR, Contracts, and site security.
Industrial Security Program & Regulatory Compliance
- Administer the industrial security program under 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM) and applicable requirements of the Cognizant Security Agency (CSA), contracts, and agreements, including Department of Energy (DOE), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or Department of War (DoW) safeguards and security orders requirements where imposed.
- Manage CUI requirements implemented through applicable contracts and agreements under 32 CFR Part 2002 and the CUI Registry, including category-specific requirements such as the CUI Export Control category. Apply separately governing laws and regulations, and maintain procedures, briefings, and required records.
- Maintain working knowledge of U.S. export control regulations applicable to Valar's nuclear technology, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, 22 CFR Parts 120-130), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR, 15 CFR Parts 730-774), and 10 CFR Part 810.
- Support the export control function in applying these regimes to technology control plans, foreign national access, and information handling.
Facility Clearance, FOCI & Contract Eligibility
- Maintain the company facility clearance and KMP records, including accurate and timely ownership, governance, foreign interest, and changed-condition reporting in coordination with Legal.
Coordinate sponsored facility clearance changes and separate safeguarding approvals when required by new work. Obtain required government approvals before classified storage or processing begins. - Administer applicable foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) mitigation requirements. Review solicitations, DD Forms 254 or equivalent CSA forms, CSA security clauses, agreement terms, and subcontract security obligations with contracts and legal before award and during performance. Ensure required security provisions flow down to subcontractors.
Personnel Security, Access & Visit Management
- Oversee clearance and access authorization processes from initiation through eligibility verification, nondisclosure agreements, briefings, need-to-know validation, reporting, debriefing, and termination of access.
- Manage visit requests, access rosters, foreign visitor coordination, and area access controls, working with Export Control, Legal, HR, and site security under applicable approvals and Technology Control Plans, including deemed export/release screening and Part 810-related restrictions on foreign national access to controlled nuclear technology.
Classified Information, SGI & CUI
- Ensure classified information is properly received, marked, transmitted, stored, accounted for, and destroyed under applicable requirements and within approved safeguarding authority. Apply classification guidance and the governing requirements for NRC Safeguards Information (SGI) when applicable.
- Implement CUI identification, marking, access, storage, transmission, dissemination, authorized decontrol, and destruction procedures. Distinguish CUI Basic from CUI Specified and apply category-specific controls.
- Lead response to suspected spills, loss, compromise, or unauthorized disclosure, including containment, inquiry, required reporting, and corrective action within applicable deadlines.
Inspections, Incident Management & Program Assurance
- Serve as the company representative during industrial security reviews and inquiries. Conduct documented NISP self-inspections at least annually, track corrective actions, brief management, and support the SMO's annual certification to the CSA.
- Report security incidents, suspicious contacts, and adverse information under applicable requirements. Participate in the insider threat program led by the designated Insider Threat Program Senior Official (ITPSO).
Export Control & Technology Control Plan Compliance
- Build, implement, and maintain Technology Control Plans (TCPs) for controlled nuclear technology, defining access boundaries, marking and handling requirements, and physical and procedural safeguards for areas, systems, and information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), or 10 CFR Part 810.
- Screen foreign national employees, visitors, and contractors against approved TCPs and applicable export authorizations before granting access; coordinate deemed export and release determinations with Export Control and Legal, and maintain required screening, approval, and access records.
- Support export control in maintaining technology classification records and license or authorization tracking, including 10 CFR Part 810 specific and general authorizations, and in conducting periodic TCP effectiveness reviews. Report suspected export control violations or unauthorized releases for investigation and required disclosure under applicable regulations.
Facilities, Security Operations & Systems Coordination
- Coordinate security requirements for classified and controlled areas, repositories, and access control systems with site security and facilities staff. Review changes affecting approved safeguarding capability.
- Coordinate with the Information System Security Manager (ISSM) and IT on classified and CUI system requirements, including NIST SP 800-171 where applicable. IT and the ISSM perform their assigned technical security and system administration functions; the government authorizing official approves classified system operation.
Training, Leadership & External Coordination
- Deliver or oversee initial security briefings, annual refresher and insider threat training, required derivative classification training, and debriefings. Provide CUI and foreign travel training as required, maintain completion records, and guide Assistant FSOs and site security representatives.
- Advise executive management on security risks, clearance impacts, FOCI matters, and needed resources. Coordinate with DOE, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the NRC, and customer security offices as applicable.
Basic Qualifications
- U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain the personnel security eligibility and access authorization required for appointment at the facility clearance level.
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, military service, and relevant experience, with 10+ years in federal industrial or facility security, including direct responsibility as an FSO or for an industrial security program.
- Demonstrated experience building and operating a security program, including written procedures, personnel security, information protection, training, self-inspection, records, and corrective action.
- Working knowledge of 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM), applicable CUI requirements implementing 32 CFR Part 2002, and the distinction between classified information and CUI.
- Working knowledge of U.S. export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and 10 CFR Part 810, and their application to controlled nuclear technology, technology control plans, and foreign national access.
- Experience obtaining, maintaining, or upgrading a facility clearance, and experience carrying a program through government security inspections or assessments.
- Ability to explain security requirements clearly, exercise sound judgment, and resolve issues with management and government security representatives.
- Hands-on experience with government personnel and facility security systems, accurate recordkeeping, and learning agency-specific systems.
- Completed applicable FSO training, or ability to complete CSA-required training within six months of appointment under 32 CFR 117.12(d).
Preferred Skills and Experience
- FSO experience at a possessing facility, or experience obtaining separate government approval to store classified information.
- Experience administering FOCI mitigation instruments such as a Special Security Agreement or Security Control Agreement.
- Experience in a nuclear, energy, or other highly regulated environment, or experience standing up a security program at a company that did not previously have one.
- Experience coordinating with an export control function on ITAR, EAR, or 10 CFR Part 810 compliance matters, including technology control plans and foreign national access management.
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).