Sr. Process Design Engineer - Inert Gas System

Kairos Power • Oak Ridge, TN

46d • $118,100 - $139,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Kairos Power is seeking a Senior Process Design Engineer to support the Cover Gas and Tritium Management Systems for our first low-power demonstration nuclear reactor and future commercial reactor units. In this role, you will help define and deliver high-purity cover gas processes that ensure safe, reliable, and clean operation of the reactor. This position offers the opportunity to shape core nuclear systems, from design through commissioning, in a collaborative and fast-paced engineering environment.

Requirements

• B.S. (or higher) in Nuclear, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years of relevant industry experience in nuclear, molten salt, refining, chemical, power generation process design engineering or similar applicable industry
• Demonstrated experience designing, delivering, and commissioning high-purity gas systems skids or other containment-critical chemical processes.
• Proficient in interpreting Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), and process equipment datasheets
• Experience with HazOp, FMEA, and safety-by-design principles for nuclear or high-risk systems.
• Familiarity with codes and standards applicable to nuclear systems (ASME, API, NRC, IAEA).
• Experience using process modeling tools (Aspen Plus, AFT Fathom/Arrow, etc.).
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team with excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated capacity for autonomous problem-solving
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others
• Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge
• Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when working on problems, challenges and issues

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a nuclear material, radiological processing, of radioactive gas handling systems facility is preferred but not required.
• Prior experience in nuclear or high-temperature chemical systems preferred.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary engineering environment and drive design to completion.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and integration of Inert Gas System (IGS) processes and components for an advanced reactor, ensuring safety, performance, and regulatory alignment.
• Define technical basis for IGS designs that enable high-purity gas operations and effective removal of chemical and radioactive impurities, encompassing process architecture, component selection, and operating strategies.
• Develop and maintain key system documentation such as P&IDs, process control narratives, and design specifications.
• Define and execute testing commissioning and acceptance plans to verify performance, reliability, and maintainability of critical hardware.
• Collaborate across disciplines-Plant Design, Process Design, I&C, Operations, and Safety-to ensure seamless integration of IGS with interfacing systems.
• Select and qualify materials, instrumentation, and components for use in radioactive gas and high-temperature environments.
• Support hazard analyses, FMEA, and licensing efforts to ensure robust safety and regulatory compliance.
• Work with vendors and suppliers to specify and evaluate nuclear-grade gas handling and tritium management equipment.
• Provide technical mentorship and leadership to engineers developing next-generation gas and process systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees