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Kairos Power

Plant Manager, Engineering Operations

Become a Plant Manager, Engineering Operations at Kairos Power in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lead the management of a complex chemical plant, ensuring safety and operational success. Enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical and 401(k) plans.
Kairos Power
Kairos Power
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States   On-site   Full Time  UTC-06:00

Kairos Power

Company Overview

Kairos Power, LLC

Alameda, California, United States

2016

Approximately 300 employees (source: climatebase.org).

What They Do

Kairos Power is a pioneering American nuclear energy company that specializes in developing advanced nuclear reactor technology, specifically the fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR). This innovative reactor design utilizes TRISO (tri-structural isotropic) coated particle fuel in a buoyant annular graphite pebble form, combined with low-pressure Flibe (Li2BeF4 lithium-beryllium-fluoride salt) coolant. This technology allows for online refueling without the need for reactor shutdowns, high-temperature operations that exceed conventional fuel capabilities, and a secondary solar salt loop for steam generation, making it compatible with modern commercial power plants (source: kairospower.com). The company aims to provide cost-competitive energy solutions that feature high availability, low maintenance, and near-zero carbon emissions, positioning its reactors as a complementary energy source alongside variable renewables for enhanced grid resiliency (source: wikipedia.org). Target markets include U.S. electricity generation and process heat applications, particularly for data centers powering artificial intelligence, with plans for initial commercial offerings following successful demonstrations in the early 2030s (source: kairospower.com).

Projects & Track Record

While Kairos Power has not yet completed any full-scale commercial projects, it has made significant strides in testing and demonstration initiatives. The company has operated the RAPID Lab (R-Lab) in Alameda since September 2018, focusing on surrogate fluid and high-temperature materials testing. Additionally, the commissioning of the Salt Lab (S-Lab) in July 2020 has facilitated evaluations of Flibe coolant, while the Pebble Development Lab at KP Southwest was completed in May 2021. The Engineering Test Unit (ETU) has also made progress with hot commissioning starting in August 2022 (source: kairospower.consultation.ai). The flagship project currently underway is the Hermes low-power demonstration FHR reactor, which has a thermal capacity of 35 MW and is being developed in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Initial geotechnical work at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee site commenced in August 2021, and the NRC construction permit application was accepted for review in November 2021, with full construction permit approval achieved in December 2023 (source: wikipedia.org).

Recent Developments

In the past two years, Kairos Power has secured significant regulatory approvals, including the NRC site construction approval for the Hermes reactor in Tennessee in 2023, marking a historic milestone as the first such permit granted in 50 years for a non-water-cooled reactor. The full construction permit was also approved in December 2023, following extensive pre-application engagement that began in October 2018 (source: wikipedia.org). A major highlight for 2024 is the agreement with Google to deploy six to seven small nuclear reactors to power AI data centers, with the first unit expected to be operational by 2030 (source: wikipedia.org). Additionally, the ongoing partnership with the Department of Energy, which includes a $629 million cost-sharing award for the Hermes project, continues to support the company's development and licensing efforts (source: kairospower.consultation.ai).

Working There

Kairos Power actively hires across various engineering disciplines, including reactor and salt system design, analysis, testing, licensing, and manufacturing roles such as machining, welding, and fabrication. The company fosters a collaborative and hands-on work environment that emphasizes innovation and mission-driven objectives, with a culture that values diversity and inclusivity (source: kairospower.com). Active recruitment is ongoing at their headquarters in Alameda, California, as well as at their facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which include manufacturing and testing labs (source: kairospower.consultation.ai). The company places a strong emphasis on mission statement reviews at the start of meetings to ensure alignment with their goal of facilitating the clean energy transition, and they attract talent passionate about making a significant impact in the world (source: kairospower.com). Specific employee benefits are not extensively detailed in public sources, but the company promotes a high-performance work environment that supports innovation (source: kairospower.com).

Contact


Last updated on 2025-12-26 | Report an issue

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 Plant Manager, Engineering Operations with expertise in new construction and operation experience managing a complex chemical plant, including hazardous material management. You will be integrated with the design and construction process, implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality check protocols, production schedules, lead investigations and troubleshoot day to day problems as it may arise. During process design and construction phase, you will provide input to ensure upcoming operational success. Once construction is complete, you will be responsible for a fully operating plant and all functions including personnel and plant management.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor construction progress ensuring that the project is implemented per the approved designs
  • Identify and help resolve any potential operating issues identified during the construction
  • Responsible for developing the teams to conduct the punch listing of the plant equipment as being installed
  • Participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) reviews
  • Develop hiring plan/need for production engineers and operators including hiring and managing production engineers and operators, operator training and assist in training
  • Develop operating procedures and QA/QC to meet the frozen design basis
  • Develop Management of Change procedures for plant, maintain records of changes and compliance with HAZOP/PHA and (if applicable) PSM
  • Responsible for development of the system definitions and system handover packages for implementation
  • Lead process commissioning efforts for the handover systems
  • Responsible for final acceptable of the handover systems for release to operations
  • Develop the commissioning schedule, unit start-up schedule, and plant start up plans
  • Responsible for procurement of the materials required for start-up including initial inventories of consumables, safety equipment, and personnel equipment

Qualifications

  • B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
  • 10+ years of experience managing operations for newly constructed chemical plants, preferred industry in Oil & Gas, Chemical Production (i.e., paint, novel manufacturing), Factory Manufacturing, or similar industry handling various chemicals (acids/bases/toxic chemicals)
  • 5+ years of supervisory experience managing up to 30 direct reports including engineers, operators, and other personnel
  • Proven success in managing operations in a complex chemical plant handling hazardous materials
  • Experience commissioning complex chemical plants
  • Proven track record managing a diverse workforce and resolving technical issues

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Ability to balance safety and operation to meet schedule and cost targets
  • Ability to develop plans and programs to plan out work with needed resources.
  • Ability to work with highly collaborative team and proven team player working with various teams.
  • 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 Conditions

  • Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, and articulated boom lifts
  • Setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding, ladders)
  • 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 50 pounds in all directions
  • Communicating with others to exchange information
  • Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery
  • Use hand tools

Environmental Conditions

  • General office environment
  • Low temperatures
  • High temperatures
  • Outdoor environment or elements such as precipitation and wind
  • Noisy environments
  • Small and/or enclosed spaces
  • Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions
  • Elevated heights
  • 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
  • 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
  • Handling of Beryllium (Be)
  • Handling of radiological materials

Travel

  • Some travel may be required, up to 10%

Certification

  • Capable of obtaining forklift and boom lift certification

Additional Requirements

  • Requires occasionally working weekends
  • Requires occasional schedule flexibility
  • Requires occasionally working non-standard work-week hours
  • Requires occasionally working 2nd shift, beginning at 3:00pm local time
  • Requires occasionally working 3rd shift, beginning at 11:00pm 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

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About the role

September 20, 2025

Full Time

Company

January 9, 2026

On-site

Kairos Power

kairospower.com

  •  Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

10+ years in managing operations for newly constructed chemical plants

UTC-06:00

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