Process Engineer, TRISO Fuels Facility

Kairos Power•Albuquerque, NM

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Kairos Power is seeking a Process Engineer to support the design, construction, commissioning, and startup of a TRISO Fuels Facility. The role develops and implements chemical and physical process systems for nuclear fuel manufacturing, translating process requirements into operable, maintainable, and constructible facility solutions. Work includes process design, equipment definition, utility integration, vendor coordination, commissioning, and operational readiness. The position will initially be based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, supporting facility engineering and design. The successful candidate is expected to relocate to Gillette, Wyoming, when facility construction begins and support construction, commissioning, startup, and ongoing operations. Relocation assistance is provided in accordance with company policy. Travel between Albuquerque and Gillette is required during design and construction, along with occasional travel to vendors and engineering partners. After relocation, travel is expected to be less than 10%. Early in the project, the Process Engineer will work with engineering, procurement, and project teams on facility design, equipment procurement, and factory acceptance testing. As the project moves into construction and commissioning, the position will become more field-oriented, supporting installation, startup, and operational readiness. The role also supports safe, efficient, and reliable fuel fabrication operations and continuous improvement. The role involves office, industrial and manufacturing, and construction and commissioning environments. Work may include noisy environments and exposure to odors or fumes associated with chemicals and industrial operations. Physical activities include using ladders and similar access equipment, moving between positions and worksites, remaining stationary for prolonged periods, and handling objects up to 10 pounds. Proper PPE is required. Schedule flexibility is occasionally required; weekend work is seldom required, and extended hours may be needed during commissioning, startup, and critical project milestones. The facility handles information subject to Department of Energy export control restrictions under 10 CFR Part 810. Employees must be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information; some foreign nationals may require an export control license for access.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
10+ years of process engineering experience in chemical processing, industrial manufacturing, nuclear, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, or similar highly regulated industries.
Experience developing process deliverables, including PFDs, H&MBs, P&IDs, equipment specifications, equipment lists, and utility consumption calculations.
Experience with facility design and integration across process, mechanical, electrical, controls, and civil disciplines.
Experience commissioning and starting up industrial process equipment and systems.
Experience working with hazardous chemicals and implementing appropriate process safety controls.
Experience supporting vendor equipment procurement, technical reviews, and acceptance testing.
Experience using engineering and modeling tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, process simulation software, or equivalent platforms.
Strong understanding of process engineering fundamentals and industrial system integration.
Ability to interpret process requirements and translate them into practical equipment and facility solutions.
Ability to review mechanical and facility designs for alignment with process intent and operational requirements.
Familiarity with industrial utility systems, including process gases, chilled water, cooling systems, exhaust, wastewater, and chemical distribution systems.
Ability to develop and interpret process documentation, calculations, equipment datasheets, and specifications.
Knowledge of process hazards and appropriate engineered and administrative controls for hazardous chemical and industrial processes.
Ability to apply structured problem-solving and root cause analysis methods to process and equipment issues.
Ability to analyze operating and process data and identify opportunities to improve throughput, reliability, quality, and efficiency.
Ability to develop clear technical documents, calculations, specifications, evaluations, and engineering recommendations.
Ability to coordinate technical requirements and interfaces across engineering disciplines, vendors, contractors, commissioning teams, and Operations.
Strong technical writing and documentation skills; excellent verbal communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic project environments and identify opportunities for process optimization and continuous improvement.
Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities; ability to proactively collect, organize, and transfer technical knowledge.
Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others.
Ability to relocate from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Gillette, Wyoming, when facility construction begins.
Ability to meet the Department of Energy authorization requirements for access to Part 810-controlled information.

Nice To Haves

Nuclear industry, fuel cycle, chemical processing, or advanced manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

Develop process designs and technical deliverables, including Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Heat and Material Balances (H&MBs), Process Design Basis documents, Utility Consumption Lists, and Process Narratives.
Develop and maintain Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) in coordination with mechanical, electrical, controls, and facility engineering disciplines.
Define process design requirements and develop equipment specifications for tanks, vessels, pumps, valves, process skids, thermal systems, chemical handling systems, and supporting utilities.
Prepare equipment lists, process datasheets, process calculations, and design inputs for procurement and facility integration.
Support layout development and review facility arrangements for operability, maintainability, constructability, personnel flow, and future expansion capability.
Coordinate with architecture and engineering partners, equipment vendors, and internal stakeholders to develop integrated process solutions.
Lead process hazard evaluations and support implementation of engineered and administrative controls for hazardous chemical and industrial processes.
Support development of operating philosophies, commissioning plans, startup procedures, and operational readiness activities.
Provide technical oversight during equipment fabrication, factory acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, and startup.
Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Safeguards, and Construction teams to deploy process systems successfully.
Evaluate process and operating data and drive continuous improvement to improve throughput, reliability, quality, and process efficiency.
Support troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and corrective actions during commissioning and operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.