Heat Exchanger Development Engineer

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.

We are seeking a motivated Heat Exchanger Development Engineer to support the development of heat exchangers for demonstration and commercial KP-FHR plants. In this hands-on role, you will focus on analyzing and testing new hardware solutions, contributing to the design and optimization of heat exchange systems. This position is ideal for an engineer who is passionate about nuclear technology and eager to work directly with hardware in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in design, analysis, and testing of salt-salt, salt-air, and salt-steam heat exchangers for the KP-FHR
• Conduct performance evaluations and thermal-hydraulic analyses to optimize heat exchanger efficiency and reliability
• Participate in hands-on testing and experimentation with new hardware, collecting data and analyzing results to validate design assumptions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of heat exchanger systems into overall plant design and operations
• Support the development of technical documentation, including specifications, test plans, and reports
• Assist in troubleshooting and resolving issues related to heat exchanger performance during testing and commissioning phases
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in heat exchanger design and nuclear systems
• Provide technical support and input for project meetings, ensuring effective communication of findings and recommendations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in engineering roles focused on heat exchangers, thermal systems, or similar technologies
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, fluid dynamics, and thermal analysis.
• Hands-on experience with hardware testing and experimentation, including familiarity with lab equipment and data collection methods
• Proficiency with engineering simulation software, especially FEA (e.g., ANSYS Mechanical, or similar) is a plus
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, or similar) is a plus
• Proficiency with heat exchanger design and rating software (e.g., HTRI, Aspen EDR, or similar) is a plus
• Familiarity or experience with applying ASME Section III and/or Section VIII Code and TEMA standards to the design of tube and shell heat exchangers is a plus
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, with a willingness to collaborate with diverse engineering teams
• A proactive attitude and eagerness to learn and grow in a dynamic engineering environment
• Ability to foster an environment that creates new and better ways to be successful
• Excellent communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills; must be able to interact and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, and with external partners
• 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

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• General fabrication / assembly type work in a laboratory environment
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes, powered air purifying respirator (PAPR)

Travel

• Some travel may be required, up to 25%

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• 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. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/10/appendix-A_to_part_810