Process Engineer, Molten Salt Inventory Management System

Kairos Power • Alameda, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

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. The Inventory Management System (IMS) team is seeking a highly motivated and passionate Engineer to join our efforts in designing, building, and commissioning high-temperature skids for molten salt systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in process, chemical, and mechanical engineering, with the ability to apply these skills to high-temperature design challenges. In this role, you will contribute to the development of critical process systems for the Hermes reactor, our first-of-a-kind low-power nuclear demonstration reactor. As a key member of the IMS team, you will assist in designing, commissioning, and operating components to manage and control the reactor’s molten salt coolant inventory. The position requires an aptitude for chemical engineering, systems integration, and industrial or pilot-scale system deployment. You will collaborate closely with mechanical design, plant layout, piping, instrumentation, and operations teams to integrate and optimize these systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience in process/system design or related roles.
• Experience designing systems for high-temperature processes, molten salts, liquid metals, hazardous chemicals, or petrochemical processes is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to bring hardware design projects to completion and through commissioning, for industrial-scale systems or lab test stands.
• Familiarity with ASME vessel and piping codes is a plus.
• Experience with SolidWorks or other CAD software desired.
• Demonstrated capacity for autonomous problem-solving and willingness to own a wide range of technical and non-technical tasks.
• Proficient in interpreting PFDs, P&IDs, and process equipment datasheets, with the ability to translate these into functional design and implementation plans.
• Knowledge of HazOp process and demonstrated experience designing processes with a safety-first mindset to create robust systems. Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others.
• Knowledge of system commissioning practices, startup sequencing, and operational troubleshooting for process systems.
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge.
• Ability to quickly and effectively work with manufacturing/assembly teams to pivot or troubleshoot when hardware build issues are discovered while maintaining delivery schedule.

Responsibilities

• Support design of high temperature piping loops, vessels, heaters, and instruments to manage the Hermes molten salt coolant inventory.
• Perform engineering calculations to support defining hydraulic, thermal, or other design parameters such as pipe size, required pump head, heat loss, hydraulic losses in a pipe loop, etc.
• Lead the design and construction of test platforms, including component prototypes, scaled system demonstrations, and engineering studies to inform IMS system design and performance.
• Develop and document engineering calculations, technical studies, and design rationale through clear and concise technical reports, memos, and presentations.
• Support system commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities, including procedure development and execution.
• Assist with requirements definition, design verification, and validation activities to ensure IMS systems meet functional and regulatory expectations.
• Leverage expertise in Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) to communicate and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Contribute to Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies, ensuring robust safety and performance across system interfaces.
• Work cross-functionally with mechanical, instrumentation, controls, and operations teams to integrate and optimize IMS designs in alignment with reactor requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
• Paid Vacation
• 401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees