Test Engineer

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.

Kairos Power is seeking a highly capable Test Engineer to support the design, development, and operation of experimental hardware, laboratory infrastructure, and first-of-a-kind test systems supporting advanced reactor technology.

This role is centered on solving technical problems through a combination of engineering analysis, hands‑on experimentation, rapid prototyping, and multidisciplinary system integration. Successful candidates are equally comfortable developing engineering concepts, building hardware, instrumenting experiments, analyzing results, and iterating designs based on experimental evidence.

The Test Engineer works closely with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and test engineers to accelerate technology maturation by developing laboratory capabilities, developing prototype hardware, improving manufacturing processes, and investigating unexpected system behavior.

This position combines engineering design and experimentation to develop and improve experimental capabilities, prototype systems, and engineering solutions. The Test Engineer applies established engineering principles and methods while exercising judgment in the evaluation and resolution of complex technical issues.

• Design, develop, fabricate, commission, and continuously improve experimental systems, prototype hardware, and laboratory equipment supporting advanced reactor technology development.
• Investigate technical problems by combining engineering analysis with hands‑on experimentation to identify root causes and develop practical solutions.
• Design and integrate mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, instrumentation, and control system components into functioning experimental hardware.water
• Develop, modify, and optimize laboratory equipment, manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and prototype systems to improve capability, reliability, safety, and throughput.
• Plan, execute, and document engineering experiments that reduce technical uncertainty and generate actionable engineering knowledge.
• Collaborate closely with design engineers, analysts, technicians, software engineers, and operations personnel to rapidly iterate hardware designs.
• Design and implement instrumentation, data acquisition, automation, and control solutions supporting laboratory testing.
• Troubleshoot multidisciplinary hardware systems using first‑principles engineering methods, empirical testing, and systematic root cause analysis.
• Produce engineering documentation including design packages, test procedures, operating procedures, technical reports, and design review materials.
• Support commissioning, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory infrastructure and experimental facilities.
• Provide technical guidance to less‑experienced engineers and technicians and may coordinate or direct technical tasks within assigned areas of work.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or related engineering discipline or equivalent demonstrated experience developing complex multidisciplinary engineering systems.
• 5+ years of experience designing, building, integrating, testing, commissioning, or troubleshooting…