Abstract: A valve system for an internal combustion engine, including an actuator assembly having a plurality of coil assemblies arranged in a substantially stacked configuration, each coil assembly including a support made of an electrically insulative material, an electrically conductive coil positioned about the support and placeable in electrical communication with a source of electrical power, and a magnetic material substantially surrounding the electrically conductive coil; a piston assembly including a non-magnetic plunger and a plurality of magnets and flux conduits arranged in a substantially stacked and alternating configuration on the plunger; and a valve member attached to the piston assembly.