Test Engineering Part Time Co-Op - Spring 2026

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 Engineering Co-Op with experience relevant to design, construction, operation, and data acquisition and control of complex mechanical systems. In this role, you will contribute to the engineering design and technology development programs for the Kairos Power Fluoride Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR). The ideal candidate has a hands-on approach to design, assembly and testing of mechanical systems, with either hands-on experience working in an R&D test lab or experience using SolidWorks CAD and other tools for design.

Responsibilities

- Assist the design of Kairos Power's test equipment

- Use CAD and other tools to assist with design choices as part of cross-functional teams

- Perform scoping calculations to assess the technical value of designs

- Develop engineering drawings for design and fabrication

- Improve CAD design capabilities by working alongside Kairos Power's engineers to create new designs or update designs to increase performance and manufacturability

- Work with Kairos Power test engineers to demonstrate real-world functionality of new designs

- Provide regular presentation updates on internship work and progress

- Develop technical reports for engineering work that is conducted

- Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

- Currently pursuing a BS or MS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or Chemical Engineering, or relevant discipline preferred

- Must be in good academic standing with current educational institution

- Able and willing to commit to 15-20 hours per week during spring 2026 school semester

- Taken or taking one or more of the following classes at University of New Mexico: ME586 Design for Manufacturability, ME360L Mechanical Engineering Design III or higher, ME300+/ME 460 Senior Design Option, and ME407/ME408 FSAE Option

- Industry internships and/or research laboratory experience preferred

- Experience with 3D modeling and prototyping (SolidWorks preferred)

- Experience working in a laboratory or industrial environment on thermal/fluids testing is desirable, along with experience using associated laboratory equipment and hand tools

- Experience with thermal and fluids analysis and modeling is a plus

- Experience with a manufacturing environment is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- 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

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

- 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 20 pounds in all directions

- Communicating with others to exchange information

- Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery

- Use hand tools

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

Environmental Conditions

- General office environment

- Low temperatures

- High temperatures

- Outdoor environment or elements such as precipitation and wind

- Noisy environments

- Small and/or enclosed spaces

- Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions

- Elevated heights

- 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

- Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes

Travel

- Capable of obtaining forklift and boom lift certification

- Must have reliable means of transportation to and from Kairos Power's facility in Albuquerque, NM

The salary range for this position is $27 to $29 per hour. Factors that may be 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