Distinguished Engineer – Materials Engineering at Kairos Power

Alameda, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Nuclear Energy, Clean EnergyIndustries

Requirements

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline (exceptional candidates with an M.S. and extensive experience will be considered)
Minimum 20 years of progressive experience in materials engineering, with a strong focus on high-temperature alloys and welding/joining technologies
Recognized authority with a record of peer-reviewed publications, patents, technical standards contributions, or invited conference presentations
Demonstrated expertise in materials performance under extreme conditions including creep, fatigue, corrosion, oxidation, irradiation, and multi-physics interactions
Proven track record of leading cross-disciplinary teams in complex design, testing, and qualification programs for safety-critical systems
Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships with universities, labs, and industry consortia
Experience engaging with nuclear regulatory authorities

Responsibilities

Provide visionary technical leadership for the development, testing, and qualification of advanced structural steels used in high-temperature, molten salt nuclear systems
Shape and execute strategy for materials selection and performance demonstration, with emphasis on stainless steels and welded joints
Lead efforts to capture, test, and account for degradation phenomena such as creep, fatigue, corrosion, oxidation, and irradiation effects
Oversee the design and execution of experimental campaigns to validate material performance, including accelerated testing and irradiation programs
Establish and refine technical standards, qualification pathways, and best practices for materials integration into safety-critical systems
Serve as a recognized subject matter expert and interface with regulatory authorities, ensuring materials programs meet nuclear licensing requirements
Mentor, guide, and inspire multidisciplinary engineering teams, building technical depth and fostering a collaborative culture of excellence
Drive innovation by exploring novel materials and joining techniques, contributing to the advancement of next-generation reactor technologies
Represent Kairos Power at technical conferences, professional societies, and industry consortia, advancing thought leadership in nuclear materials engineering
Partner with external laboratories, universities, and vendors to leverage specialized capabilities and accelerate technology readiness
Define and maintain long-term materials technology roadmaps aligned with Kairos Power’s reactor development strategy
Provide leadership in integrating materials performance considerations with design, manufacturing, and operational requirements
Contribute to the development of industry codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks, ensuring Kairos Power’s leadership in shaping best practices
Anticipate and address materials-related risks to reactor design, licensing, and deployment, recommending mitigation strategies
Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Materials ScienceStructural SteelsStainless SteelsWelded JointsCreepFatigueCorrosionOxidationIrradiation EffectsMolten Salt SystemsHigh-Temperature ReactorsExperimental CampaignsAccelerated TestingNuclear Qualification

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Distinguished Engineer position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this role remote or does it require working on-site?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills and expertise are required for this role?

The role requires visionary technical leadership in materials science and engineering, expertise in advanced structural steels, stainless steels, welded joints, and degradation phenomena like creep, fatigue, corrosion, oxidation, and irradiation effects, plus experience with experimental campaigns and nuclear licensing requirements.

What is the company culture like at Kairos Power?

The culture emphasizes building technical depth, fostering a collaborative culture of excellence, mentoring multidisciplinary teams, and driving innovation in next-generation reactor technologies.

What makes a strong candidate for this Distinguished Engineer role?

A strong candidate will have extensive experience as a subject matter expert in materials for high-temperature nuclear systems, proven technical leadership in qualification and testing, and the ability to mentor teams while representing the company in regulatory and industry forums.

Kairos Power

Designs and demonstrates advanced nuclear reactors

About Kairos Power

Kairos Power focuses on providing clean and affordable energy solutions through advanced nuclear reactor technology. Their main product, the Kairos Power Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR), is designed to be cost-competitive with natural gas while maintaining a near-zero carbon footprint and low water usage. This technology is aimed at utility companies, government agencies, and private firms seeking sustainable energy options. Unlike many competitors, Kairos Power emphasizes the integrated design, licensing, and demonstration of their reactors to prove their safety and reliability. Their goal is to attract investments and partnerships to scale their technology and contribute to a cleaner energy future.

Alameda, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2016Year Founded

$19.5KTotal Funding

GRANTCompany Stage

EnergyIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

401(k) Company Match

401(k) Retirement Plan

Risks

Potential delays in Hermes 2 construction could affect timelines and finances.

Google partnership may face regulatory hurdles, impacting the 2035 rollout.

New Mexico expansion might encounter local regulatory challenges or community resistance.

Differentiation

Kairos Power's KP-FHR reactor offers near-zero carbon emissions and low water usage.

The company focuses on advanced nuclear technology, setting it apart from traditional energy firms.

Kairos Power's strategic partnerships, like with Google, enhance its market position.

Upsides

The U.S. NRC approved construction permits for Kairos Power's Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant.

Kairos Power's agreement with Google aims for 500MW nuclear projects by 2035.

The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits, boosting nuclear project financial viability.

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