Lead Engineer, Remote Handling

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 Lead Engineer focused on Remote Handling with expertise in the development of mechanical and electromechanical remotely operated systems. In this role, you will design, demonstrate, and iteratively develop systems enabling in-cell reactor component maintenance and inspection with minimal impact to plant operation. This Engineer's responsibilities will mesh Remote Handling operations into facility design with influence on reactor component touchpoints to enable efficient handling. Additionally, you will mentor junior engineers building foundational expertise in design and testing of prototype systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative mechanical handling solutions for the full range of activities inside reactor system shielding cells
• Collaborate with Engineering Teams to organize inputs to shape online and offline reactor system maintenance
• Build coarse schedules tracking testing demonstration opportunities for communication across related teams and leadership
• Propose turn-key integrated solutions backed by an execution plan for rapid demonstration
• Actively participate with Civil Structures Teams, Component Engineers, Reliability Engineers, Fabrication Teams, and Laboratory Staff to align and accelerate test hardware development
• Lead collaborative conceptual reviews and physical Remote Handling demonstrations through design, build, test iterations of scaled system prototypes
• Publish engineering reports documenting design details and test results
• Integrate design for cost and design for manufacturing efforts broadly across systems
• Deliver test-proven hardware to large-scale molten salt engineering test and reactor systems through SolidWorks CAD design, drawing review and release, and working with internal fabrication teams to realize product
• Participate in and conduct inspections, quality checks, pre-commissioning checks and testing, installation, shakedown, tuning, hot commissioning, and other steps to verify performance
• Keep pace with maturing reactor system design evolutions with aim to continuously improve
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or equivalent
• Expertise in robotics and machine design, preferred in safety-significant systems
• 10+ years of experience developing and delivering hardware for uniquely demanding applications.
• Proficiency in computer methods for data acquisition, control, and analysis.
• Proven team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with precision weldments
• Experience with power generation systems
• Strong background in low voltage electrical systems, optical systems, and computer control of machines
• Expertise with material selection and compatibility, preferred knowledge of 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 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 50 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
• Evaluated heights
• Accessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes

Travel

• Some travel may be required up to 25% in support of product manufacturing, integration, and launch at remote sites.

Additional Requirements

• Requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines occasionally.

To be completed by Recruiter:

The salary range for this position is $133,900 to $157,500 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