Senior Mechanical Engineer, Remote Handling and Full Scale Integration

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 Senior Mechanical Engineer focused on Remote Handling Special Components with expertise in modular hardware design for remotely operated systems.

This role is centered on the design, physical integration, and demonstration of remote handling technologies through full-scale mockups and prototype builds. The Senior Engineer will drive 1:1 scale integration efforts to validate interfaces, clearances, tolerances, and handling sequences—systematically derisking reactor maintenance strategies prior to deployment.

This position integrates remote handling requirements directly into component architecture and system interfaces to enable efficient assembly, maintenance, inspection, and long-term operability. The role emphasizes hands-on engineering, rapid build-test cycles, and cross-functional collaboration in a highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

Modular Maintenance System Development

Apply lifecycle design principles including maintainability, inspectability, and decommissioning

Integrate remote handling requirements into hardware architecture and system interfaces

Develop and maintain interface control documentation supporting plant-level integration

Design, build, and evaluate 1:1 scale mockups and integration test articles to validate handling concepts

Develop structured test plans and acceptance criteria for full-scale demonstrations

Coordinate test readiness reviews with QA and Systems Engineering

Implement design updates based on mockup results, demonstrations, and operational feedback

Support project planning and cost estimation for integration and testing activities

Interface with vendors to ensure manufacturability and feasibility of specialized components

Conduct risk and reliability assessments for maintenance systems

Ensure compliance with nuclear regulations, safety standards, and applicable codes

Maintain configuration-controlled design documentation

Remote Handling Solutions

Develop remote handling hardware enabling efficient component repair and replacement

Lead hands-on design-build-test cycles to mature handling approaches

Execute full-scale integration mockups to validate reach, clearances, tooling alignment, ergonomics, and sequencing

Collaborate with reactor systems and operations teams to define online and offline maintenance strategies

Identify integration risks early and mitigate through rapid prototyping and physical demonstration

Testing and Validation

Align demonstration opportunities with reactor and facility schedules

Develop execution plans for rapid, high-value physical demonstrations

Support inspections, installations, shakedown, tuning, and commissioning activities

Capture lessons learned from mockups and integration testing to inform future designs

Collaboration

Partner with engineering, laboratory, shop, and materials teams to execute accelerated hardware development

Coordinate cross-disciplinary integration efforts to ensure cohesive system performance

Engineering Reports

Publish engineering reports documenting design details, mockup results, and integration findings

Contribute to design basis documentation and regulatory submittals

Team Contribution

Share technical knowledge and best practices across the organization

Mentor junior engineers in hardware design, integration, and prototype testing

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

8+ years of experience developing hardware for demanding applications

Demonstrated experience with full-scale prototypes, physical integration, and hardware demonstrations

Experience integrating mechanical and electrical systems for remote operation preferred

Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries preferred

Molten salt or advanced reactor experience a plus

Background in low-voltage systems, optical systems, and compact packaging

Experience with servos, motors, electromagnets, or related power electronics

Working knowledge of ASME codes and piping standards preferred

Familiarity with data acquisition tools (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python) a plus

Experience mentoring junior engineers preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Expertise in high-temperature systems

Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude in laboratory and shop environments

Experience developing physical mockups and rapid prototypes

Familiarity with radiation effects and material degradation in extreme environments preferred

Knowledge of pressure and fluid systems

Familiarity with non-destructive inspection techniques

Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills

Ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams

Practical, test-driven problem-solving approach

Commitment to safety and operational rigor

Physical Conditions

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, lifts, and similar equipment

Setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g., scaffolding, ladders)

Working in tight or confined spaces

Remaining stationary for prolonged periods (standing or sitting)

Moving between worksites

Adjusting, transporting, or installing objects up to 30 pounds

Use of various hand tools

Communicating effectively with team members

Environmental Conditions

General office environment

Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned

High-concentration, demanding, and fast-paced

Noisy environments

Small and/or enclosed spaces

Elevated heights

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

Manipulating, cleaning, and disposal of hazardous materials

Travel

Some travel may be required, up to 25%

Additional Requirements

Requires occasional schedule flexibility

Requires occasional extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

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