Mechanical Engineer, Fuel Handling Equipment

Kairos Power•Alameda, CA

3d•$92,454 - $108,769•Onsite

About The Position

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Fuel Handling Equipment Design Engineer to develop automated fuel handling and storage equipment for its fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR). The engineer will develop assigned equipment from concept through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, and testing, including custom mechanical and electromechanical equipment, 3D models, manufacturing drawings, and prototypes to evaluate and mature designs. The role works closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, technicians, designers, and suppliers. It supports fabrication, assembly, testing, and operation of fuel handling equipment, including collaboration with manufacturing and operations at the KP-SW campus. The position is located onsite at Kairos Power’s Alameda, California headquarters. Some travel may be required (10%), and the role occasionally requires schedule flexibility and extended hours to support project timelines, fabrication, testing, or deployment milestones.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline plus 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 multidisciplinary project teams.
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 stated physical and environmental conditions, including assembling and modifying prototype equipment, test fixtures, and test setups; using machine and hand tools; and wearing required PPE.
Occasional schedule flexibility and extended hours may be required.
Some travel may be required (10%).
Authorization by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information is required to work in the facility; some foreign nationals may require an export control license.

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 manufacturing, assembly, and operation of high-fidelity and full-scale fuel handling equipment.
Create high-fidelity, custom 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 in prototypic conditions.
Design and build testing platforms to mature design features.
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 plans.
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 complexity of 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.