Senior Engineer, Mechanical Integrity

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

Kairos Power is looking for an experienced mechanical engineer to lead the engineering design of vessels on medium to large projects for a generation IV Nuclear Power Plant, and related scaled prototype and engineering test plants. The successful candidate will be an expert in codes and standards applicable to advanced nuclear reactor development technology. The candidate shall also be responsible for meeting the specific project requirements and assuring the technical correctness of design, compliance to code and standards, project budget and project schedules.

Responsibilities

• Develop models, analyze structures and components using FEA for compliance with internal KP standards and guidelines, project requirements and, codes and standards such as ASME Section III Division 5 and Section VIII Division 1 and 2.
• Perform stress analysis and post-processing of analysis data of vessels and components using both classic and finite element analysis methods.
• Visualize and develop various load cases with different operating scenarios (dynamic and static) which include all physical properties of the vessel as applicable.
• Serviceability assessment of damaged or flawed components based on crack growth concepts and fracture mechanics.
• Work directly with other disciplines (manufacturing, procurement, civil,  and others) to ensure well integrated design that meets manufacturability, cost competitiveness and other requirement.
• Develop and use hand and computer calculations, spreadsheets, programs, or other tools for design.
• Provide organized and well written reports and presentations to describe assumptions, steps taken, and results from work performed.
• Provide leadership by learning, developing, and coordinating new techniques, standardizing procedures, and providing technical instruction and mentoring to department staff.
• Mentor and train entry level engineers in stress analysis and life assessment techniques.
• Assist and provide guidance on field inspections, fabrication and installation of equipment.
• Develop long-term strategies for component monitoring, maintenance scheduling, and end-of-life assessments for critical mechanical systems.
• Implement design change procedures, ensuring that any modifications are reviewed, approved, and documented according to industry and organizational standards.
• Review vendor specifications and drawings, conduct technical evaluations, and ensure manufacturing or testing aligns with project requirements and codes.
• Oversee project planning, including budgeting, resource allocation, and scheduling, ensuring on-time and on-budget project delivery.
• Organize and participate in methods like HAZOPs, FMEAs, and fault tree analyses to identify and mitigate mechanical and operational risks.
• Provide expertise in welding processes, materials selection, and relevant ASME/AWS codes, ensuring that manufacturing procedures align with quality standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters in Mechanical Engineering or similar field of study.
• 10+ years of experience in engineering organization involved in chemical, power or nuclear industry engineering design and analysis.
• Must have Professional Engineering (PE) License, preferably in CA, or the ability to get certification within 12 months.
• Experienced with construction Codes and Standards specifically ASME Section III Division 5, Section VIII Division 1 and 2, or similar codes and standards.
• Preferably have knowledge of fatigue, corrosion and high temperature creep life assessment using finite element analyses to meet latest codes and standard requirements.
• Familiarity with advanced materials, welding processes, and high-temperature alloys used in pressure vessel and component manufacturing is desirable.
• Experience in fatigue, corrosion, and high-temperature creep life assessment methodologies is desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in finite element analysis (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS).
• Proficient in structural analysis of mechanical components and pressure vessels.
• Competent in writing sof