Senior Qualification Engineer (m/w/d)

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.

Job Summary

The Senior Qualification Engineer, Pebble Handling and Storage, is responsible for coordinating, leading, and executing the qualification testing program for the KP-FHR fuel handling and storage subsystems. This role ensures rigorous planning, execution, and documentation of testing to achieve nuclear-grade quality standards. The Senior Qualification Engineer collaborates closely with design engineers and cross-functional teams to develop qualification plans, design and operate test stands, and validate component and system performance. This position requires both technical expertise and the ability to drive complex test programs from concept through successful qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, testing, and qualification of critical subsystems within the Kairos Power FHR (KP-FHR) fuel handling and storage equipment.
• Partner with design engineers to author qualification plans and establish clear testing paths to support system readiness for KP-FHR deployment.
• Develop, implement, and pilot qualification programs and procedures applicable to Reactor Systems.
• Design, build, and operate test stands-including high-temperature platforms-to demonstrate system functionality, reliability, and environmental compatibility.
• Generate 3D design layouts and 2D drawings for electro-mechanical test hardware.
• Direct or prepare detailed manufacturing drawings for custom test equipment, and coordinate fabrication with internal manufacturing teams and external suppliers.
• Create and manage detailed verification and acceptance test plans for both standard and custom components.
• Coordinate with test engineers to assemble, operate, and execute testing programs in alignment with qualification requirements.
• Ensure qualification activities comply with applicable nuclear regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal quality assurance processes.
• Analyze test results and provide data-driven recommendations for design improvements or corrective actions.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and team members involved in test planning and execution.
• Manage risks associated with testing activities, including safety, schedule, and technical performance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related discipline is required. Master's degree preferred.
• 5-8+ years of experience in qualification testing, mechanical systems design, or related engineering fields.
• Demonstrated experience with test planning, execution, and documentation in highly regulated or safety-critical industries (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, defense).
• Experience with CAD and engineering drawing standards (ASME Y14.5 GD&T preferred).
• Knowledge of quality assurance and regulatory frameworks relevant to nuclear or safety-class equipment (e.g., ASME, NRC, IEEE standards).
• Hands-on experience with test stand design, fabrication coordination, and operation.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of mechanical and electro-mechanical system design, qualification testing, and verification methods.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) for generating 3D models and 2D engineering drawings.
• Ability to design and validate test stands, including experience with high-temperature systems and environmental simulation platforms.
• Skilled in authoring and executing qualification and acceptance test plans, with attention to rigor, traceability, and compliance with nuclear or safety-critical standards.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and ability to collaborate with fabrication teams and suppliers to deliver custom test hardware.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess test data, resolve technical issues, and ensure reliability of results.
• Effective project management skills, including planning, scheduling, and coordinating complex test activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to document and present test plans, procedures, and results to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering and failure modes analysis.
• Ability to lead technical projects and collaborate across engineering and operations teams.
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of one self 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 Demands

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
• 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 30 pounds in all directions
• Communicating with others to exchange information
• Use hand tools
• Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• High temperatures
• Noisy environments
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes

Travel

• Some travel may be required (20%)

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires overtime
• 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 timeline

The salary range for this position is $140,600 to $165,400 for employees working onsite at our Alameda, CA headquarters. The range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired in California. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and a comparison to other employees already in the role.

About our Benefits

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