Mechanical Engineer, Fuels Program

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

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer with expertise in the development and implementation of chemical and physical processes stream related equipment, to support the Kairos Power fuels program. In this role, you will work within an engineering team to design, construct, commission, and optimize performance of the process equipment necessary for TRISO annular fuel pebble fabrication. You will also work cross-functionally with facility operations, facility engineers, quality assurance, and EHS to enable supporting functions.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and test prototype assemblies to demonstrate functionality and performance under prototypic conditions.
• Lead and participate in design, manufacture, installation, commissioning, and operation of First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) equipment supporting KP Annular Fuel Production Systems.
• Monitor equipment performance, recommend and perform design modifications to enhance system reliability based on operational feedback.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and maintenance documentation to ensure consistent and safe operations.
• Lead and participate in system integration across mechanical, electrical, controls and software teams to deliver seamless, high-performing solutions.
• Ensure compliance of all systems with applicable industry codes, safety regulations and site-specific standards..
• Identify opportunities for automation within the Pebble Development Laboratory, implement solutions and measure impact using defined cost-savings metrics.
• Lead investigations into technical issues, perform root cause analyses, implement corrective actions, and support engineering changes and verification processes.
• Leverage internal manufacturing team and management of external vendors to manufacture/procure mechanical and automated systems, applying defined equipment selection criteria and manufacturability analysis.
• Lead and participate in design and safety reviews to validate designs prior to fabrication or implementation.
• Generate and maintain design records, equipment specifications and test reports compliant with internal quality and regulatory standards.
• Manage project timelines, budgets and deliverables for assigned systems or subprojects.
• Ability to train and mentor team members, fostering technical growth and collaboration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline.
• 6+ years performing duties as a process or mechanical engineering role in a chemical, pharmaceutical, industrial, or manufacturing setting.
• Experience in generating Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Heat & Material Balances (H&MBs), Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), equipment lists, and utility consumption lists.
• Experience working with hazardous processes and chemicals, including the implementation of appropriate safety controls.
• Experience in commissioning new vendor supplied equipment, as well as being able to commission in-house designed equipment.
• Mechatronics or electromechanical experience beneficial.
• Hands-on experience with process automation systems (e.g., PLCs, DCS or SCADA systems) is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient with engineering software programs including CAD, SolidWorks and modeling software.
• Team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with highly collaborative teams.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement of existing equipment.
• Ability to verify process designs against mechanical designs, in keeping with operational and maintenance interfaces to ensure that systems and facility are optimal from an installation, integration, operational and maintenance perspective.
• Familiar with process documentation, including PFDs and P&IDs and how they inform industrial system operations and integration.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills, able to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments while maintaining attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document plans and effectively convey information across engineering, operations and leadership teams.
• Ability to be proactive and adaptable.
• 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

• 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, often standing or sitting 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 10 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Use hand tools.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment.
• Noisy environments.
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced.
• Prototyping/Testing environment.
• Manufacturing/Industrial Environment.
• Radiological or Controlled Environment.

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, etc.
• Handling of radiological materials.

Travel

• Some travel may be required <5%

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility.
• Requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines (occasionally).

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