Principal Mechanical Engineer, Fuel Handling Equipment

Kairos Power•Oakridge, TN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Principal Fuel Handling Equipment Testing Engineer with technical expertise in the design, development, testing, and manufacturing of automated fuel handling and storage equipment. The engineer will apply specialized mechanical and electromechanical expertise to prototype and equipment testing, develop remote handling capabilities, and resolve complex issues during assembly, startup, and commissioning. Working with engineering, operations, maintenance, assembly teams, and suppliers, the engineer will guide technical activities at the assigned site and serve as a technical resource for fuel handling equipment development and testing. This role is a critical member of the KP-FHR fuel handling and storage system.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and 8+ years of relevant experience in mechanical or electromechanical equipment development, testing, deployment, or commissioning; or a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and 5+ years of relevant experience; or a PhD in mechanical engineering and 3+ years of relevant experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Hands-on prototyping and testing experience with novel electromechanical systems.
Experience designing equipment for nuclear, energy, chemical, petrochemical, defense, aerospace, or applications with comparable technical requirements.
Experience using SolidWorks to develop equipment models and engineering drawings.
Applied knowledge of mechanical design principles, mechatronics, motor control, and sensor integration for custom electromechanical equipment.
Knowledge of design considerations for motorized systems intended for radiation environments.
Knowledge of engineering drawing practices, dimensional tolerancing, fits, clearances, and alignment requirements for mechanical assemblies.
Knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes and their application to equipment design and fabrication.
Knowledge of design-for-maintenance strategies, tooling and handling design, and operations development for maintenance periods.
Ability to define and coordinate mechanical interfaces with electrical, instrumentation, and controls components.
Ability to design prototype assemblies and test platforms, considering high-temperature operating conditions and associated equipment hazards.
Ability to translate equipment requirements into verification and acceptance test methods and measurable acceptance criteria.
Ability to analyze test data, troubleshoot complex equipment problems, and develop and verify corrective design changes.
Ability to independently execute assigned technical work and guide contributors in sensor and motor system development.
Ability to collaborate with project managers, engineers, operators, technicians, designers, and suppliers to resolve design, fabrication, assembly, and testing issues.
Ability to communicate design decisions and technical findings clearly through engineering documentation, test reports, and technical discussions.
Ability to check models, drawings, and test documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with equipment requirements.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary project team environment.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership for fuel handling team deployment, testing, assembly, and development at the Tennessee site.
Design, build, and test prototype assemblies in prototypic conditions to demonstrate concept functionality and performance.
Design and build testing platforms to mature design features or operations.
Develop remote handling features, tools, and operations for fuel handling components in collaboration with operations and maintenance teams.
Collaborate with operations and the assembly team to create assembly plans, testing requirements, operations, and procedures.
Generate 3D design layouts and 2D drawings for electromechanical equipment, including interfaces with the nuclear vessel head and other primary-system locations.
Create or direct manufacturing drawings for custom KP-FHR fuel handling equipment and other moving components, and coordinate fabrication with internal manufacturing teams and suppliers.
Contribute to make/buy analyses, supplier selections, and manufacturing plan development.
Generate detailed verification and acceptance test plans for standard and custom components.
Provide on-site technical support for operating and troubleshooting custom components during startup and commissioning.