Senior Mechanical Engineer, -Temperature Fluid Systems and Component Design

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.

The Chemistry Control System (CCS) Team is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer with experience in full cycle design and construction of pilot or industrial‑scale fluid mechanical systems and components for high temperature fluids or other large, complex tests and experiments. The successful candidate will lead and coordinate the detailed CCS design including vessels and piping, instrumentation/sensor interfaces, fluid‑mechanical equipment and components, and system structures.

The position requires a strong aptitude for mechanical design engineering analysis, systems integration, novel component development, and industrial or pilot scale system deployment. You will be expected to regularly interface with multi‑disciplinary teams, including piping and vessel design, plant process design, instrumentation controls and electrical engineering, and manufacturing. This role will work closely with the Chemistry Control System Lead Engineer and will be a key contributor to the Hermes Reactor design, Kairos Power’s first‑of‑a‑kind low‑power demonstration reactor.

• Leads the mechanical design and deployment of high‑temperature fluid systems, integrating vessels, piping, instrumentation, heating, and structures.
• Develops detailed CAD models, mechanical drawings, and P&IDs to support design reviews, analysis, and fabrication.
• Designs or guides the design and selection of system components like pumps, valves, heaters, filters, and instruments with internal teams and outside vendors.
• Conducts thermal, fluid, and structural analyses to validate and optimize designs.
• Leads engineering analyses and studies, prepares and reviews technical documentation, and delivers clear presentations and briefings to leadership, vendors, and external reviewers.
• Leads and participates in design reviews and risk assessments to align on design direction, identify gaps and open items, and gather stakeholder feedback.
• Collaborates closely with cross‑disciplinary teams, including manufacturing, process design, instrumentation & controls, and engineering testing.
• Generates and maintains interfaces with other engineering subsystems.
• Works with testing and R&D teams on engineering tests aimed at characterizing subcomponents and informing designs.
• Oversees and coordinates component and system fabrication, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operation.
• Mentors and reviews work performed by early career engineers.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Nuclear, or other engineering‑related discipline.
• 7+ years of demonstrated R&D or industry experience in hands‑on mechanical design and deployment in chemical, power generation, oil & gas, nuclear, defense, or aerospace industries.
• Experience designing large‑scale engineering tests, fluid handling systems, process equipment, or complex systems and components.
• Experience leading system integration efforts and managing interfaces across mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Expertise in 3D CAD design and creating fabrication/assembly drawings (Solid Works, Creo, Autodesk, etc.).
• Experience performing thermal‑mechanical engineering analyses with FEA codes or software (ANSYS, COMSOL, Abaqus, etc.).
• Experience delivering designs under mechanical codes and standards such as ASME.
• Knowledge of DFM principles and GD&T standards/practices.
• Demonstrated ability to drive design projects from concept to deployment in complex, interdisciplinary environments.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver designs through manufacturing, deployment, and operation.
• Experience developing test plans, assembly procedures, and operational…