Senior Engineer, Reactor Vessel
Nuclear industryUS only
About this role
Senior Engineer responsible for design, analysis, and deployment of reactor vessel structures, systems, and components for a fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (HALEU-fueled molten salt design). Lead mechanical design and technical execution while interfacing with nuclear design, thermal hydraulics, materials, safety, and manufacturing teams.
Responsibilities
- —Own and manage design scope for reactor vessel components, interfaces, and hardware packages
- —Develop and maintain reactor vessel requirements, design bases, interface definitions, verification plans, and supporting technical documentation
- —Lead mechanical design and technical execution of assigned reactor vessel structures, components, and interfaces, ensuring compliance with system requirements and design objectives
- —Coordinate with mechanical, civil, I&C, safety analysis, manufacturing, and plant integration teams to define spatial, thermal, structural, and functional interfaces
- —Lead or support design integration reviews to ensure reactor vessel and interfacing SSC designs are compatible, constructible, inspectable, and maintainable
- —Prepare and review mechanical engineering documentation and perform or guide supporting analyses, including drawings, design reports, test plans, specifications, calculations, thermal and structural analyses, pressure-boundary evaluations, FMEAs, and mechanical design assessments
- —Assess reactor vessel compliance with applicable codes and standards (ASME, ANSI, ASTM, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code)
- —Engage with manufacturing, assembly, suppliers, and operations teams to support reactor vessel fabrication, inspection, installation, testing, and maintenance
- —Maintain assigned design records in accordance with configuration management, document control, and technical change control processes
- —Lead technical interactions with suppliers for assigned reactor vessel components, including specification development, technical evaluations, manufacturing support, and resolution of technical issues
- —Develop technical estimates, identify technical risks, and provide engineering input supporting project planning, cost, schedule, and execution decisions
- —Provide independent engineering recommendations and technical decision support within assigned design scope
- —Participate in peer design reviews, technical audits, hazard and failure analyses, and design readiness reviews
- —Provide technical mentorship, design guidance, and engineering coaching to junior engineers and interns
Qualifications
- —Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline
- —8+ years of relevant experience in mechanical design, nuclear component design, pressure vessel design, high-temperature systems, structural components, or complex hardware development
- —Demonstrated experience independently leading design, analysis, fabrication support, testing, or qualification of pressure vessels, reactor vessels, or other safety-significant mechanical systems
- —Experience developing and reviewing engineering documentation including mechanical drawings, specifications, calculations, design reports, test plans, and technical reports
Desired
- —Experience with reactor component fabrication and lifecycle management processes, including equipment qualification, inspection, testing, maintenance, or related programs
- —Experience working to a quality standard such as ASME NQA-1, ISO 9001, or equivalent quality program requirements
- —Familiarity with applicable codes and standards such as ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII and Section III, ANSI, ASTM, ASME Y14.5
- —Experience with design for manufacturing, design for assembly, dimensional inspection, GD&T, welding, machining, or fabrication of large metal components
Job details
FieldEngineering
LocationAlameda, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Oak Ridge, TN
IndustryNuclear energy
PostedJul 2026
Skills & Tools
Reactor Vessel DesignASME CodesPressure VesselStructural AnalysisASME NQA-1Haleu
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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