Mechanical Engineer, Reactor Vessel Auxiliary Systems

Job Summary 

The Reactor Vessel Auxiliary Systems team is seeking a highly motivate Mechanical Engineer to join the growing Reactor Systems department where you will have the opportunity to work directly on the design, testing, and deployment of reactor internal components in a first-of-a-kind FHR. These reactor internals are essential for reactivity control and ensuring nuclear safety of the KP-FHR technology.

In this role, you will manage and coordinate the detailed design of reactor internal components ranging from control rods to reactor instrumentation. The position requires a strong aptitude for mechanical design, engineering analysis, and high temperature materials under irradiation. You will be expected to regularly interface with multi-disciplinary teams including nuclear design, reactor thermal hydraulics, fuels and materials, safety analysis, remote handling, testing, and manufacturing. You will work closely with the Drive Mechanisms group and Reactor Vessel System team iterating on component design, collaborating on design trades, and deploying hardware for FHR demonstration reactors.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the mechanical design of reactor internal components for KP-FHR reactor vessel auxiliary systems.
• Design custom 3D models of components to be compatible with interfacing systems, structures, and components; support thermal, stress, and failure analyses; and aid in design for manufacturing and assembly reviews.
• Create and review engineering documentation such as mechanical drawings, test plans, memos, specifications, and technical reports.
• Independently perform engineering analyses such as thermal analyses, structural analyses, and failure mode and effects analyses or guide these analyses when performed by Kairos Power teams.
• Regularly interface and communicate component requirements with other disciplinary teams including nuclear design, reactor vessel design, safety analysis, and manufacturing.
• Plan and work with testing teams on prototype, development, and qualification testing of reactor internal components.
• Maintain knowledge of and assess compliance with applicable codes and standards such as ASME, ANSI, ASTM, and others.
• Engage with manufacturing and operations teams to support component fabrication, assembly, testing, and operations.
• Perform design verification and validation activities to ensure component performance meets functional and safety requirements.
• Participate in hazard and failure analyses (HAZOP, FMEA, FTA) and incorporate safety insights into design iterations.
• Support supplier and vendor engagement, including reviewing fabrication drawings, manufacturing processes, and inspection reports.
• Contribute to configuration management by maintaining design baselines, revision control, and traceability of changes.
• Assist in cost, schedule, and risk assessments related to mechanical design and testing activities.
• Participate in peer design reviews and technical audits to ensure compliance with quality and performance objectives.
•  Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, materials engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of relevant industry or R&D experience in hands-on engineering design and deployment within the nuclear, aerospace, oil and gas, chemical, or power industries.
• Experience with design and manufacturing of nuclear reactor internals such as fuel and control rod assemblies.
• Experience in reactor component fabrication and life cycle management processes including equipment qualification, in-service inspection, and other programs.
• Experience in mechanical design and 3D CAD modeling (Solidworks or equivalent).
• Experience working to a quality standard, such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001.
• Experience in drafting fabrication and assembly drawings, design for manufacturing, and GD&T/ASME Y14.5.
• Familiarity with applicable codes and standards such as ASME B&PV Section VIII Division 1 and 2, and Section III Division 5.
• Experience with configuration management systems or PLM tools.
• Experience with prototype or test rig development for mechanical systems.
• Experience with design and analysis of high-temperature and/or molten salt-wetted components under irradiation is a plus.
• Experience using analytical methods and FEA simulations to perform thermal and stress analysis is a plus.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or eligibility is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency in 3D CAD design (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent) and engineering analysis tools for thermal and structural modeling.
• Knowledge of FEA and CFD methods and ability to apply results to mechanical design decisions.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, high-temperature materials behavior, and corrosion mechanisms in irradiated or molten salt environments.
• Ability to interpret and apply industry standards and codes (ASME, ANSI, ASTM, ASME BPVC).
• Knowledge of system safety and reliability analysis methods such as FMEA and HAZOP.
• Knowledge of configuration management and design control processes.
• Skill in design verification, validation, and qualification testing.
• Skill in collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure design integrity and code compliance.
• Ability to apply design for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA) principles.
• Ability to apply systems-thinking to evaluate interdependencies across reactor subsystems.
• Strong analytical problem-solving abilities to resolve complex design issues efficiently.
• Flexibility to consistently deliver tangible results in a rapid and dynamic work environment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills as well as strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, including engineers, designers, machinists, fabricators, technicians, and operators, in a multi-disciplinary project team environment.
• Self-motivated with strong time management skills and ownership mentality.
• Capability to mentor and train junior engineers and interns.
• Dedication to safety and risk management consistent with expectations of designing and deploying components that are critical to the safe operation of a nuclear reactor.

Physical Conditions:

• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 30 pounds in all directions.
• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting, for prolonged periods.
• Working with hand tools to assemble equipment and hardware as necessary.

Environmental Conditions:

• General office environment.
• Laboratory environment.

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, as required.

Travel:

• Some travel may be required (10%).

Additional Requirements:

• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

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 maybe 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.

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