Lead Mechanical 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.

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Lead Mechanical Engineer focused on maximizing the lifespan and remote replaceability of high temperature, welded-inline salt flow system equipment. Expertise in design and operation of mechanical and electromechanical equipment, high temperature systems, and remotely operated systems are preferred. In this role you will lead the design, demonstration, and iterative development of salt valves alongside remote repair techniques enabling in-cell reactor line component maintenance and inspection with minimal impact to plant operation. This Lead's responsibilities will mesh Remote Handling operations into salt flow system design with influence on reactor component touchpoints to enable efficient handling. Additionally, you will lead team members and mentor junior engineers building foundational expertise in design and testing of prototype systems.

Responsibilities

• Develops innovative high-temperature salt flow component solutions for a full range of reactor system functions
• Integrates design-to-cost and design-for-manufacturing efforts across systems
• Delivers test-proven hardware through SolidWorks CAD, drawing review and release, and collaboration with in-house fabrication teams
• Keeps pace with maturing reactor system design evolutions to continuously improve performance
• Ensures compliance with nuclear industry regulations, safety standards, and applicable code
• Implements robust risk assessments and reliability analyses for critical inline components
• Establishes and maintains change management practices to preserve design integrity over the project lifecycle
• Develops remote handling techniques and processes that enable component repairs with minimal impact on plant operations
• Leads conceptual reviews and physical demonstrations of remote handling approaches through iterative design, build, and test cycles
• Collaborates with engineering and remote handling teams to shape online and offline reactor maintenance strategies
• Tracks testing and demonstration opportunities that align with reactor schedules, and communicate proposals to related teams and leadership
• Conceptualizes integrated solutions supported by execution plans for rapid demonstration
• Participates in inspections, quality checks, pre-commissioning evaluations, installations, shakedown, tuning, hot commissioning, and other activities to verify performance
• Works with civil structures, component engineering, reliability, fabrication, and laboratory teams to align and accelerate test hardware development
• Publishes engineering reports documenting design details, test results, and lessons learned
• Shares knowledge, experience, and methods with colleagues to foster a high-performing team
• Mentor junior engineers in design and testing of prototype systems
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• Expertise in valves for harsh applications
• Expertise in electromechanical systems
• 10+ years of experience developing and delivering hardware for uniquely demanding applications
• Proficiency in computer-based methods for data acquisition, control, and analysis
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Proven team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with precision weldments and NDE techniques
• Experience with power generation systems
• Expertise with material selection and compatibility, preferred knowledge of galling behavior and radiation effects on materials
• Familiarity with design and operation of pressure systems and fluid conveyance systems
• Broad experience with power electronics such as servos, motors, electromagnets
• Familiarity with non-destructive inspection and analysis techniques
• Experience as a technical mentor
• Ability to work within a 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

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts, etc.
• 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 30 pounds in all directions
• Communicating with others to exchange information
• Use of various hand tools

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• High-concentration, demanding, and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes

Travel

• Some travel may be required (up to 25%)

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires 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