Mechanical Engineer, Fuel Handling Equipment

Kairos Power•Alameda, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Fuel Handling Equipment Design Engineer to support the design, development, testing, and manufacturing of automated fuel handling and storage equipment for the KP-FHR. This engineer will develop assigned equipment from concept through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, and testing, creating custom mechanical and electromechanical equipment, detailed 3D models, and manufacturing drawings. The role also involves designing and testing prototypes to evaluate and mature equipment designs, while working closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, technicians, designers, and suppliers. The position supports high-fidelity and full-scale fuel handling equipment at the KP-SW campus, and includes hands-on work in laboratory, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing environments. Some travel may be required (10%). The role occasionally requires schedule flexibility and extended hours to support project timelines, fabrication, testing, or deployment milestones. The position is located onsite at Kairos Power’s Alameda, California headquarters. The stated salary range is $92,454 to $108,769 for employees working onsite there. Applicants must be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information at the facility; some foreign nationals may require an export control license.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline and 2–5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience performing hands-on prototyping and testing of novel electromechanical systems.
Experience interfacing with manufacturing teams and understanding manufacturing processes.
Experience designing components in SolidWorks, including 3D modeling and creating engineering drawings.
Working knowledge of mechanical design principles and engineering drawings.
Familiarity with mechanical or electromechanical systems, prototyping, and testing.
Ability to apply engineering principles to analyze and solve technical problems and evaluate alternative solutions against technical requirements.
Ability to work hands-on in a laboratory or manufacturing environment, including using hand tools as appropriate to assigned work.
Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, designers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and other multidisciplinary project team members.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes and their application to mechanical component and equipment design.
Ability to interpret and apply technical requirements to equipment designs and drawings.
Ability to incorporate test, manufacturing, and assembly feedback into mechanical designs and drawings.
Ability to document test activities, results, and technical findings clearly and accurately.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Ability to meet the physical and environmental conditions of the role, including working around hazardous warning signs and materials, reporting unsafe conditions, and wearing required PPE.
Authorization by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information at the facility; an export control license may be required for certain foreign nationals.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Experience with machine motion.
LabVIEW or PLC integration experience.

Responsibilities

Support the design and prototyping of critical subsystems of KP-FHR fuel handling and storage equipment.
Collaborate with manufacturing and operations at the KP-SW campus to support the manufacturing, assembly, and operation of high-fidelity and full-scale fuel handling equipment.
Create custom, high-fidelity 3D equipment models and manufacturing drawings that meet KP-FHR and test system requirements.
Design, build, and test prototype assemblies to demonstrate concept functionality and performance under prototypic conditions.
Design and build testing platforms to explore design features requiring maturation.
Create or direct the creation of manufacturing drawings for custom KP-FHR fuel handling equipment and other moving components, and coordinate fabrication with internal manufacturing operations and suppliers.
Incorporate manufacturing, assembly, and test feedback into equipment designs to support design maturation and manufacturability.
Contribute to make/buy analyses, supplier selections, and manufacturing plan development.
Perform engineering calculations and analyses to support mechanical design decisions and component selection.
Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback into equipment designs, drawings, and prototypes.
Document prototype and test results and communicate findings to support design development and maturation.
Investigate and resolve mechanical design, fabrication, assembly, and test issues using established engineering methods, with technical guidance appropriate to the issue and position level.
Provide technical guidance to less experienced team members on assigned equipment designs and contribute to improvements in design, prototyping, or testing processes.
Perform other duties as assigned.