Senior Engineer, Reactor Vessel Auxiliary Systems

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 Reactor Vessel Auxiliary Systems team is seeking a highly motivated Senior Engineer to join the growing Reactor Systems department where you will have the opportunity to work directly on the design, integration, and assembly of the structures, systems, and components (SSCs) within the reactor cavity in a first-of-a-kind FHR.

In this role, you will manage and coordinate the detailed layout of reactor cavity components including routing of fuel, salt, and gas lines from the reactor vessel through the bio-shield, locating remote handling accessible instrumentation, and standardizing common components and features. The position requires a strong aptitude for mechanical design, systems engineering, and high temperature components under irradiation. You will regularly interface with multi-disciplinary teams including nuclear design, civil structures, remote handling, reactor coolant auxiliary systems, reactor systems, safety analysis, instrumentation & controls, and plant design integration. You will work closely with these teams to implement component and instrumentation standardization, collaborate on SSC design, and develop a cavity layout that meets safety analysis, construction, and maintenance requirements for FHR demonstration reactors.

Responsibilities

- Own and manage the 3D layout and spatial integration of all components within the reactor cavity including reactor vessel and support systems, instrumentation, shielding, and maintenance interfaces.

- Coordinate with mechanical, civil, and I&C design teams to define spatial, thermal, and functional interfaces between the reactor vessel, cavity systems, and bio-shield.

- Lead design integration reviews to ensure structures, systems, and component designs are compatible and accessible for installation and maintenance.

- Develop and implement standardized layouts, component interfaces, and remote maintenance connection strategies to streamline manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance operations.

- Establish and maintain common connection standards for electrical and gas connections, inspection devices, and instrumentation access.

- Collaborate with I&C engineers to define sensor and cabling layouts within the cavity for radiation monitoring, temperature, pressure, and neutron flux instrumentation.

- Create and review engineering documentation such as mechanical drawings, test plans, memos, specifications, and technical reports.

- Independently perform engineering analyses such as thermal analyses, structural analyses, and failure mode and effects analyses or guide these analyses when performed by Kairos Power teams.

- Regularly interface and communicate component requirements with other disciplinary teams including nuclear design, reactor systems, reactor coolant auxiliary systems, safety analysis, remote handling, and manufacturing.

- Maintain knowledge of and assess compliance with applicable codes and standards such as ASME, ANSI, ASTM, and others.

- Engage with manufacturing, assembly, and operations teams to support build, install, and maintenance operations.

- Perform design verification and validation activities to ensure system performance meets functional and safety requirements.

- Participate in hazard and failure analyses (HAZOP, FMEA, FTA) and incorporate safety insights into design iterations.

- Contribute to configuration management by maintaining design baselines, revision control, and traceability of changes.

- Assist in cost, schedule, and risk assessments related to mechanical design and plant layout activities.

- Participate in peer design reviews and technical audits to ensure compliance with quality and performance objectives.

- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, or Systems Engineering (or related discipline).

- 10+ years of experience in nuclear plant design, system integration or complex facility layout.

- Proven ability to lead cross-disciplinary integration and resolve technical and spatial conflicts.

- Demonstrated experience in system integration, equipment layout and standardization, and 3D CAD model management.

- Experience in reactor component fabrication and life cycle management processes including equipment qualification, in-service inspection, and other programs.

- Experience with configuration management systems or PLM tools.

- Experience with prototype or test rig development for mechanical systems.

- Experience working to a quality standard, such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Familiarity with applicable codes and standards such as ASME B&PV Section VIII Division 1 and 2, and Section III Division 5.

- Proficiency in 3D CAD design and tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AVEVA or equivalent) and engineering analysis tools for thermal and structural modeling

- Knowledge of FEA and CFD methods and ability to apply results to mechanical design decisions

- Ability to interpret and apply industry standards and codes (ASME, ANSI, ASTM, ASME BPVC)

- Knowledge of system safety and reliability analysis methods such as FMEA and HAZOP

- Knowledge of configuration management and design control processes

- Experience with design and analysis of high-temperature and/or molten salt-wetted components under irradiation is a plus

- Ability to apply systems-thinking to evaluate interdependencies across reactor subsystems

- Strong analytical problem-solving abilities to resolve complex design issues efficiently

- Flexibility to consistently deliver tangible results in a rapid and dynamic work environment

- Self-motivated with strong time management skills and ownership mentality

- Capability to mentor and train junior engineers and interns.

- Excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills

- 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 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.

- Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like.

- Working with hand tools to assemble equipment and hardware as necessary.

Environmental Conditions

- General office environment

- Laboratory environment

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 (10%)

Additional Requirements

- Occasionally requires schedule flexibility

- Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

The salary range for this position is $140,600 to $165,400 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.

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