Lead Mechanical Engineer, Remote Handling and Special Components

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 Mechanical Engineer focused on Remote Handling Special Components with expertise in modular component and equipment design for remotely operated systems. In this role, you will lead design, demonstration, and iterative development of hardware technologies enabling rapid assembly of reactor system components with enhanced maintenance and inspection capability. This Lead's responsibilities will mesh Remote Handling operations into modular design with influence on system touchpoints to enable efficient handling. Additionally, you will lead team members and mentor junior engineers building foundational expertise through design and test of prototype systems.

Responsibilities
Modular Maintenance System Development

• Applies lifecycle design practices, including maintainability, inspectability, and decommissioning considerations, during component development
• Develops interface control documentation for integration of remote handling process into larger plant systems
• Aligns component technology development to standardize a common approach
• Develops structured test protocols, defines acceptance criteria, and coordinates formal test readiness reviews with QA and systems engineering
• Provides technical support to project scheduling and cost estimating teams to ensure design activities are adequately represented in project plans
• Implements design revisions based on test outcomes or operational feedback
• Acts as a technical liaison with vendors and suppliers to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability of specialized components
• Ensures compliance with nuclear industry regulations, safety standards, and applicable codes
• Implements robust risk assessments and reliability analyses for maintenance systems and components
• Contributes to design basis documentation and regulatory submittals
• Maintains up-to-date design documentation in accordance with configuration management practices and digital engineering standards

Remote Handling Solutions

• Develops remote handling techniques and processes that enable component repairs with minimal impact on plant operations
• Leads conceptual reviews and physical demonstrations of remote handling approaches through iterative design, build, and test cycles
• Collaborates with engineering and remote handling teams to shape online and offline reactor maintenance strategies

Testing and Validation

• Tracks testing and demonstration opportunities that align with reactor schedules, and communicate proposals to related teams and leadership
• Conceptualizes integrated solutions supported by execution plans for rapid demonstration
• Participates in inspections, quality checks, pre-commissioning evaluations, installations, shakedown, tuning, hot commissioning, and other activities to verify performance

Collaboration

• Collaborates with Engineering Teams, Laboratory and Shop Staff, Materials Teams, and industry partners to organize inputs and charter accelerated projects for novel hardware systems

Engineering Reports

• Publishes engineering reports documenting design details, test results, and lessons learned

Team Building

• Shares knowledge, experience, and methods with colleagues to foster a high-performing team
• Mentor junior engineers in design and testing of prototype systems

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience developing and delivering hardware for uniquely demanding applications
• Experience integrating mechanical and electrical systems for remote operations is desirable
• Experience with molten salt or advanced reactor systems is a plus
• Familiarity with data acquisition platforms (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python) is a plus
• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries is desirable
• Strong background in low voltage electrical systems, optical systems, and efficient packaging
• Broad experience with power electronics such as servos, motors, electromagnets
• Working knowledge of ASME codes and piping standards is a plus
• Experience as a technical mentor

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expertise in high-temperature systems
• Team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of radiation effects on materials and material degradation in extreme environments is desirable
• Familiarity with design and operation of pressure systems and fluid conveyance systems
• Familiarity with non-destructive inspection and analysis techniques
• Ability to work within a highly collaborative team
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others
• Ability to proactively collect, manage, and