Machinist III
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 skilled and motivated Machinist with experience setting up, programming, and operating a variety of multi-axis machine tools including lathes, milling machines, boring machines, and grinders to produce precision parts and components from both metallic and nonmetallic materials. Responsibilities include interpreting blueprints and technical drawings, selecting appropriate tooling and materials, and ensuring all work meets tight tolerances and quality standards. The Machinist creates and edits NC programs for CNC machines, performs in-process inspections, and adjusts setups as needed to maintain accuracy and efficiency.
Responsibilities
Job Planning
- Reads blueprint or job order for product specifications such as dimensions and tolerances, and tooling instructions such as fixtures, feed rates, cutting speeds, depth of cut, and determines sequence of operations.
- Establishes work coordinate systems and tooling offsets.
- Creates work holding methods and plans for all machine operations.
Machine Setup and Operation
- Positions and secures workpiece in holding device, machine table, chuck, centers, or fixtures.
- Sets up and operates machines and equipment other than machine tools.
- Observes operation of machine and verifies conformance of machined workpiece to specifications.
Programming
- Creates and edits NC programs using industry software such as MasterCam.
Production Control
- Maintains compliance with internal quality standards and proficiently utilizes job scheduling software to track production and shop floor operations.
Documentation
- Completes and maintains accurate job travelers and first article inspection reports to ensure documentation compliance and traceability throughout the manufacturing process.
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required, along with 5+ years of relevant machining experience (including mill, lathe, 3-axis, 5-axis, and live-tooling); or an equivalent combination of education, training, and hands-on experience
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of CAM-CAD software and G-Code; Experience in Solidworks is a plus
- Ability to create and edit machining programs CAM software (Mastercam preferred)
- Understanding of basic and advanced GD&T such as: tolerancing, flatness, parallelism, thread tolerances, profile tolerances, perpendicularity
- Ability to work with shop mathematical concepts to practical situations
- Ability to maintain and use precision measuring tools such as: Vernier Calipers, Micrometers, Height gages, Gauge Pins, Gauge Blocks, Thread Gauges, etc.
- Knowledge and understanding of CNC cutting tool selections. cutting tool surface footage, and chip load feed rates
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
- Ability to utilize computers and company-specific software, including timekeeping tools, training platforms, and work order systems to perform daily responsibilities effectively
- 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 Demands
- 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 25 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
Certification
- Capable of obtaining forklift and boom lift certification
Additional Requirements
- Occasionally requires overtime
- Occasionally requires working weekends
- Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
- Occasionally requires non-standard work-week hours
- Occasionally requires working 2nd shift, beginning at 4:30pm local time
- Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines
The hourly range for this position is $46 to $52 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
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About the role
September 21, 2025
Full Time
Company
January 2, 2026
On-site
USD 46–52 per hour
- Alameda, California, United States
5+ years of relevant machining experience
UTC-07:00
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