Principal Engineer, Structural Integrity of Metallic Systems, Structures & Components

Company Overview

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.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Structural Integrity & Materials Modeling, the Principal Engineer, Structural Integrity of Metallic Systems, Structures & Components (SSCs) will drive the development and deployment of novel analysis methods and numerical models used for the design, licensing and operation of the Kairos Power fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactors (KP-FHRs). They will also closely support the Materials and Engineering Design teams with ongoing and future qualification testing, design-for-construction and fitness-for-service programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the extension and application of structural integrity assessment methods and procedures to future commercial FHR units
• Conduct and review defect tolerance (DTA) and fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments of KP-FHR SSCs
• Support the company’s design-for-construction and materials qualification efforts by performing and reviewing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of metallic SSCs
• Lead the development, verification and validation of deformation and damage models of high carbon stainless steels
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various engineering teams on efforts such as uncertainty quantification (UQ), software Quality Assurance (SQA), software and hardware acquisition, and support of management and work program leadership in meeting company’s licensing milestones and deliverables
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• MS or PhD degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, or Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field strongly preferred
• 15+ years of experience with FEA required; APDL & Usermat (Ansys) or UMAT (Abaqus) experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of inelastic deformation and failure mechanisms of ductile structural components operating at high temperature and under irradiation required and preferred, respectively
• Knowledge of Fracture Mechanics is required; Experience in application and knowledge of Construction and Fitness-for-Service codes (e.g., ASME III & XI, API 579, UK R5/R6, BS-7910, RCC-MRx) is preferred
• Working experience with scientific & scripting programming languages (e.g., C++, Fortran, Python and Matlab)
• Working experience with model calibration and optimization techniques as well uncertainty quantification

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of inelastic deformation
• Knowledge of Fracture Mechanics
• Ability to function in a fast-paced company environment with minimal direction and adjust workload based upon changing priorities
• Team player with excellent interpersonal, written, presentation, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team
• Ability to problem solve quickly and efficiently
• 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
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• Noisy environments (if visiting manufacturing areas to collaborate)
• Accessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced
• Autonomously driven and demanding atmosphere

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes, as required

Travel

• Some travel may be required (up to 10%) to other Kairos Power offices and meeting locations.

The salary range for this position is $166,700 to $208,400 for employees working onsite at our Alameda, CA headquarters. T