Lead Engineer, Characterization

Kairos Power is a new nuclear energy technology and engineering company whose mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy, with the ultimate goal to dramatically improve people’s quality of life while protecting the environment. This goal will be accomplished through the commercialization of the fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR) that can be deployed with robust safety, affordable costs, and flexible operation to accommodate the expansion of variable renewables.

Kairos Power is seeking a driven and experienced Lead of Characterization to lead operations for the company’s Characterization Laboratory. In this role, you will coordinate operations activities in the Characterization Laboratory, lead a talented team of engineers and support staff, and ensure that the technical teams and business functions achieve their goals by optimizing laboratory processes, delivering high-quality results, and maintaining highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operations for characterization and analytical testing of the natural uranium TRISO fuel particle and annular fuel pebble.
• Lead characterization of stainless steel and graphite materials test specimens from qualification testing campaigns.
• Oversee commissioning and operations activities for all characterization and analytical equipment.
• Lead a team of engineers and support staff, providing mentorship, performance management, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and professional development of team members.
• Monitor and drive project progress, proactively identify potential risks or obstacles, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure timely project completion and delivery.
• Manage and optimize the performance, maintenance schedules, and operational efficiency of all lab equipment.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive operating procedures, work instructions, product routing, and maintenance documentation.
• Support rapid turnaround of fuel product development and production campaigns, materials test specimens, and test campaigns.
• Ensure the timely and accurate delivery of data and documentation for analysis and engineering reports.
• Support the Radiation Protection Program and ensure the effective implementation within radiological facilities for fuel development.
• Lead investigate and implement solutions to technical problems, conduct root cause analysis, and manage corrective action reports and engineering changes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to address operational challenges, support objectives of Fuels and Materials teams.
• Engage with vendors to procure necessary equipment and services, ensuring the seamless support of laboratory operations.
• Oversee job hazards analysis for new work or test activities, new equipment, and ensuring the highest standard of safety and operational excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. Degree in Materials Science, or equivalent major
• 10+ years of experience in characterization operations, analytical chemistry, or other related work experience.
• Experience with working in a radiation environment, working with radioactive materials, or working in similar high hazard environments.
• Experience with equipment commissioning, testing, analysis, and/or process optimization.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex projects on time.
• Proven expertise in equipment commissioning, testing, analysis, and process optimization.
• Strong project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex projects on time and within scope.
• Proven team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Assessing the accuracy and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team.
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others.
• Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge.
• Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when working on problems, challenges and issues.

Physical Conditions

• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 20 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• High temperatures
• Noisy environments
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Color identification: detecting, distinguishing, recognizing and identifying colors
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes
• Handling of radiological materials
• Handling of beryllium-containing materials

Travel

• Some travel may be required, up to 20%

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires working weekends
• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires non-standard work-week hours
• Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

We know that we have some of the most talented and dedicated employees, and we believe in rewarding them accordingly. If you work here, full-time employees (excludes interns) expect to have access to the benefits below:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
• Paid Vacation
• 401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)

Kairos Power is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we do business. Kairos Power is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively welcome people of different experiences, abilities, and perspectives.

Kairos Power participates in E-Verify.

Candidates only, no recruiters or agencies please.

Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. To work in this facility, you need to be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries that are not on the Department of Energy’s general authorization list (link below) are not permitted to work in our facility unless the Department of Energy issues an export control license to the company to permit that individual to have access to Part 810-controlled information. The following questions are intended to determine the licensing requirements that may apply. link