Process Engineer, Molten Salt Inventory Management System

Company Overview

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

The Inventory Management System (IMS) team is seeking a highly motivated and passionate Engineer to join our efforts in designing, building, and commissioning high-temperature skids for molten salt systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in process, chemical, and mechanical engineering, with the ability to apply these skills to high-temperature design challenges.

In this role, you will contribute to the development of critical process systems for the Hermes reactor, our first-of-a-kind low-power nuclear demonstration reactor. As a key member of the IMS team, you will assist in designing, commissioning, and operating components to manage and control the reactor's molten salt coolant inventory. The position requires an aptitude for chemical engineering, systems integration, and industrial or pilot-scale system deployment. You will collaborate closely with mechanical design, plant layout, piping, instrumentation, and operations teams to integrate and optimize these systems.

Responsibilities

- Support design of high temperature piping loops, vessels, heaters, and instruments to manage the Hermes molten salt coolant inventory.

- Perform engineering calculations to support defining hydraulic, thermal, or other design parameters such as pipe size, required pump head, heat loss, hydraulic losses in a pipe loop, etc.

- Lead the design and construction of test platforms, including component prototypes, scaled system demonstrations, and engineering studies to inform IMS system design and performance.

- Develop and document engineering calculations, technical studies, and design rationale through clear and concise technical reports, memos, and presentations.

- Support system commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities, including procedure development and execution.

- Assist with requirements definition, design verification, and validation activities to ensure IMS systems meet functional and regulatory expectations.

- Leverage expertise in Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) to communicate and collaborate effectively across teams.

- Contribute to Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies, ensuring robust safety and performance across system interfaces.

- Work cross-functionally with mechanical, instrumentation, controls, and operations teams to integrate and optimize IMS designs in alignment with reactor requirements.

Qualifications

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience in process/system design or related roles.

- Experience designing systems for high-temperature processes, molten salts, liquid metals, hazardous chemicals, or petrochemical processes is preferred.

- Demonstrated ability to bring hardware design projects to completion and through commissioning, for industrial-scale systems or lab test stands.

- Familiarity with ASME vessel and piping codes is a plus.

- Experience with SolidWorks or other CAD software desired.

- Demonstrated capacity for autonomous problem-solving and willingness to own a wide range of technical and non-technical tasks.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Proficient in interpreting PFDs, P&IDs, and process equipment datasheets, with the ability to translate these into functional design and implementation plans.

- Knowledge of HazOp process and demonstrated experience designing processes with a safety-first mindset to create robust systems. Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others.

- Knowledge of system commissioning practices, startup sequencing, and operational troubleshooting for process systems.

- Ability to work with highly collaborative team with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge.

- Ability to quickly and effectively work with manufacturing/assembly teams to pivot or troubleshoot when hardware build issues are discovered while maintaining delivery schedule.

Physical Conditions

- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

- Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 30 pounds in all directions.

- Occasionally moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces (laboratory/shop environment).

Environmental Conditions

- General office environment.

- High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced environment.

- Occasional laboratory or shop environment exposure (loud noises, PPE required, chemical fumes possible).

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.

Travel

- Some travel may be required, up to 20%.

Additional Requirements

- Requires occasional extended hours to support critical project timelines.

The salary range for this position is $106,300 to $125,100 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 maybe used to determine your actual salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, ability and the market data for your work location, and a comparison to other employees already in the role.

#LI-Onsite

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