Lead Fabricator – ASME Code Vessels

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 highly motivated Lead Fabricator with expertise relevant to setup, operation and maintenance of advanced fabrication and machine shop equipment. In this role, you will contribute to development and deployment of the company’s internal fabrication capabilities in support of engineering design. The candidate must have knowledge of infrastructure, setup, operation, and maintenance requirements for advanced shop equipment, expertise in modern fabrication techniques, and proven record of successful work in collaboration with engineering teams. The ideal candidate takes pride in their craftsmanship, organization, and attention to detail in a fast-moving exciting environment and previously lead teams.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Management

• Supervises, mentors, and provides direction to fabrication team members.
• Equitably assigns tasks and responsibilities based on team members’ expertise, interest and strengths.
• Coordinates with management to schedule workloads, ensure timely completion, and maintain high-quality standards.
• Conducts training sessions for team members on equipment capabilities, safety standards, best practices, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrates a genuine passion for the mission and encourages team members to align their efforts with KP’s mission.
• Supports initiatives and promotes collaboration toward team goals.

Fabrication & Prototyping

• Fabricates prototypes quickly to support engineering development initiatives.
• Welds and assembles complex components accurately according to engineering drawings and specifications.
• Develops specialized fabrication tooling to efficiently manufacture complex components and assemblies.
• Ensures adherence to quality standards, including AWS, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and API standards.

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Sets up, operates, and maintains advanced fabrication and machine shop equipment, ensuring peak operational condition.
• Regularly inspects machinery for safety and functionality, coordinating necessary repairs and preventative maintenance.
• Recommends enhancements or new equipment acquisitions to improve fabrication efficiency and quality.

Collaboration & Communication

• Works closely with engineering teams to interpret requirements, execute work requests, and provide technical insights.
• Proactively communicates project status, potential issues, and propose optimal or innovative fabrication solutions.
• Facilitates effective collaboration within and across teams to ensure smooth project execution.

Safety & Compliance

• Prioritizes workplace safety, ensuring compliance with applicable safety guidelines, regulations, and company policies.
• Performs safety audits and risk assessments, immediately addressing identified risks or hazards.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Identifies opportunities for process improvements and efficiency enhancements within fabrication operations.
• Supports the implementation of new fabrication methods, technologies, and workflows.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience working in a fabrication/welding shop environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supervising teams, providing mentorship and guidance on complex fabrication projects.
• Proven ability to interpret and fabricate components accurately from mechanical drawings.
• Hands-on experience with manual fabrication tools.
• Extensive experience working with stainless steel piping, tubing, and pressure vessels.
• Valid AWS Certified Welder Certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong proficiency in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) across a variety of materials, including thin walls through Schedule 90+ piping.
• Ability to interpret and fabricate components accurately from mechanical drawings.
• In-depth understanding and practical experience with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and relevant API standards.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as Solidworks or AutoCAD.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written, and interpersonal communication; proven ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team.
• Ability to problem solve quickly and efficiently.
• 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.
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others.

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 50 pounds in all directions
• Communicating with others to exchange information
• Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery
• Use hand tools
• Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams

Environmental Conditions

• Noisy environments
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions
• Accessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials
• 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

Travel

• Some travel may be required, up to 10%

Certification

• Capable of obtaining forklift and boom lift certification
• Valid AWS Certified Welder Certification

Additional Requirements

• Requires occasional overtime
• Requires occasional working weekends
• Requires occasional schedule flexibility
• Requires occasional non-standard work-week hours
• Requires occasional working 2nd shift, beginning at 4:30pm local time
• Requires occasional 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