Fuels Mechanical Engineer
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.
Job Summary
Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated 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 particle fabrication. You will also work cross-functionally with facility operations, facility engineers, quality assurance, and EHS to enable supporting functions.
Responsibilities
- Interpret and apply process engineering information communicated via Process Flow Diagrams (PFD's) as well as understanding heat and material balances and process envelopes contained within mechanical designs.
- Develop equipment specifications and size equipment such as tanks, vessels, valves, lines, and pumps based on process needs.
- Prepare and maintain equipment lists, specifications and data sheets for equipment.
- Develop and/or approve manufacturing drawings for custom equipment.
- Interface with vendors for procurement of equipment and instruments.
- Work with the lead Responsible Engineer to develop the equipment commissioning plan, procedures and documentation for process systems.
- Coordinate with facility operations to implement, test and optimize TRISO fuel fabrication processes.
- Provide oversight of fuel fabrication processes and incorporate best practices for continuous improvement.
- Work with other engineers and technologists to understand mechanical deficiencies and opportunities for process equipment improvements and incorporate those learnings into design improvements.
- Interface with manufacturing team and participate in equipment manufacturing, assembly and test certification of process equipment skids.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline.
- 5+ 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.
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.
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.
Safety and PPE
- Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs.
- Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions.
Travel
- Some travel may be required <5%
Additional Requirements
- Seldom requires working weekends.
- Occasionally requires schedule flexibility.
- Seldom requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines.
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
November 18, 2025
Full Time
Company
December 30, 2025
On-site
- Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
5+ years
UTC-07:00
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