Distinguished Engineer, Reactor Systems
About this role
Distinguished Engineer position at Kairos Power leading senior technical strategy for fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR) technology. Establish long-term technical vision, engineering standards, and architectural direction across reactor systems design, integration, analysis, testing, and deployment while serving as trusted technical advisor to executive leadership.
Responsibilities
- —Provide technical authority to shape long-term technical vision, system architecture, and engineering strategy for Reactor Systems consistent with commercialization roadmap
- —Serve as highest-level technical authority for reactor systems design philosophy, integration strategy, and technical decision-making
- —Drive enterprise-wide technical consistency across reactor systems design, integration, analysis, testing, qualification, and deployment activities
- —Guide development and oversight of reactor system architecture, system requirements, design bases, interface definitions, verification plans, and supporting technical documentation
- —Lead resolution of complex cross-disciplinary technical issues involving reactor vessel systems, reactor internals, auxiliary systems, nuclear design, design margin, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, I&C, manufacturing, testing, licensing, and operations
- —Develop engineering standards, technical methodologies, design principles, and best practices that improve engineering quality and organizational effectiveness
- —Influence corporate technology strategy through collaboration with executive leadership and engineering management teams
- —Identify emerging technical risks and opportunities affecting reactor technology development and commercialization
- —Lead or support major design integration reviews to ensure structures, systems, and components are compatible, accessible, and aligned with safety and lifecycle requirements
- —Maintain knowledge of and assess compliance with applicable codes and standards such as ASME, ANSI, ASTM, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
- —Mentor engineers across Reactor Systems and adjacent technical teams on design rigor, engineering judgment, and cross-functional integration
- —Represent Reactor Systems in high-impact technical discussions, design reviews, readiness reviews, audits, and executive-level technical briefings
Qualifications
Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related technical discipline. 20+ years of progressively increasing technical leadership experience in nuclear reactor design, reactor systems engineering, advanced technology development, complex mechanical systems, high-temperature systems, or similarly regulated engineering environments. Demonstrated experience leading major technical scope across complex engineering programs, preferably involving nuclear, energy, chemical, oil and gas, or power generation systems.
Desired
Recognized technical authority with demonstrated contributions to advancement of advanced reactor technology through technical leadership, publications, patents, standards development, or invited presentations. Experience working within formal configuration management, design control, or product lifecycle management systems under recognized quality programs such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001. Experience with applicable codes and standards such as ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Division 1 and 2, Section III Division 5, ANSI, ASTM, ASME Y14.5. Experience participating in or leading formal technical reviews, readiness reviews, design reviews, or safety-related engineering reviews.
Job details
Skills & Tools
About the company
Kairos Power →A developer of the fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR), building the Hermes demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
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Distinguished Engineer, Reactor Systems
Kairos Power