Test Engineer, Salt 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

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Test Engineer with expertise relevant to the design, construction, and operation of engineering test equipment. In this role, you will contribute to the development and deployment of the company’s engineering testing capabilities working with molten salts, including Flibe. The candidate must have knowledge of design, assembly and troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical systems, and a proven record of successful work in collaboration with engineering teams. The ideal candidate takes pride in their engineering and enjoys a balance of design and hands-on work in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

- Design of molten salt test equipment including multi-disciplinary aspects of mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering.

- Coordinate team of engineers, fabricators, and technicians to move equipment through design, build, and test cycles.

- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure test systems meet internal and regulatory standards for high-temperature chemical operations.

- Develop and execute detailed test plans aligned with engineering objectives and regulatory requirements.

- Provide timely feedback to design engineering teams based on test performance, operability, and system limitations.

- Contribute to the development and implementation of computer-based systems for data acquisition, automation and remote control.

- Perform system calibrations and validate instrumentation accuracy prior to and during test operations to ensure data integrity.

- Document and maintain system design changes, test configurations, and engineering decisions in formal records and drawings.

- Develop procedures for experiment operation, data collection, and reporting.

- Monitor and maintain ongoing tests in the laboratory.

- Support readiness reviews, design reviews, and test readiness assessments for new or modified systems.

- Practice safe chemical hygiene and hazardous material handling.

- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing test efficiency, safety, and system reliability.

- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

- BS. degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant field of study

- 5+ years of work experience with hardware manufacturing and assembly is required

- Experience working in laboratory or R&D environments under formal test plans and procedures is desirable.

- Experience designing, operating, or maintaining thermal-fluid test systems, including pumps, heat exchangers, valves, and sensors, is highly beneficial.

- Familiarity with materials compatibility with high-temperature, corrosive fluids is a plus.

- Experience with molten salt flow loops is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

- Proficiency in computer-based data acquisition and control systems, including sensor integration, instrumentation, and automated test sequences

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

- Ability to work with highly collaborative team

- Ability to problem solve quickly and efficiently

- Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge

- Ability to interpret mechanical and electrical schematics, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and engineering drawings.

- Familiarity with safety practices and engineering controls related to thermal systems, pressure vessels, and corrosive/flammable fluids.

- Skilled in test planning, test execution, and data analysis, including the use of tools such as Python, LabVIEW, or similar for automation and analytics.

- Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work to meet deadlines under changing project needs.

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 50 pounds in all directions

- Communicating with others to exchange information

- Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment, or machinery

- Use hand tools and power tools

- Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams

Environmental Conditions

- High concentration

- Fast paced

- Small and/or enclosed spaces

- Noisy environments

- High temperatures

- General office environment

- Odors or fumes from manufacturing and test processes

Safety and PPE

- Communication skills to maintain awareness of lab surroundings

- Reading and interpreting warning signs

- Manipulating, cleaning, and disposal of hazardous materials

- Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions

- Wearing PPE including respirators, face shields, gloves, safety shoes, etc.

- Handling of Beryllium (Be)

Travel

- Some travel may be required (up to 10%)

Certification

- Capable of obtaining forklift, crane, and boom lift certification

Additional Requirements

- Occasionally requires schedule flexibility

The salary range for this position is $122,300 to $143,800 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