Fuels Program Mechanical Technologist

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.

Job Summary 

Reporting to the Fuel Operations Manager, this position contributes to the development and production of pebble fuel for Kairos Power’s fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor. The individual selected for this position will help construct, operate, and maintain and assemble equipment and work with engineers to execute the annular fuels R&D program. As part of an operations team, the individual selected for this position will run the manufacturing process for the facility, as well as implement other mechanical assembly, support and operation as required by code or regulation. This individual thrives in a fast-paced, positive environment, which values continuous improvement and accountability.

Responsibilities

Mechanical Assembly and Troubleshooting 

• Carefully assembling mechanical components according to detailed instructions and blueprints.
• Aligning and positioning parts to ensure proper fit and function.
• Using hand tools, power tools, and specialized fixtures to secure components.
• Checking for tolerances and quality control during assembly.
• Performs troubleshooting of malfunctioning equipment and develops solutions to restore equipment to operation.
• Assists engineering staff in developing the critical operations program and critical spares list.
• Read and interpret design plans, and prepare layouts for assembling components
• Participate in engineering reviews and studies to support future equipment and facility upgrades.

Facility Operations

• Execute the manufacturing processes associated with the annular fuels program.
• Support the day-to-day operations of the facility; Startup, run, and shutdown heavy machinery and auxiliary equipment.
• Assist in performing and evaluating both destructive and non-destructive tests on annular fuel. Document results under the QA program.
• Identify equipment issues, provide recommended corrective actions, and participate in root cause analysis as necessary.
• Perform lockout-tagout of mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Work with hazardous chemicals and radiological materials within gloveboxes, fume hoods, or other engineered containment enclosures.
• Use tools such as drills, grinders, calipers, and presses, etc.
• Operate mobile equipment such as forklifts, loaders, scissor lifts, and aerial lifts.
• Understand and adhere to all safety rules and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Combination of education and/or work experience equivalent to 6+ years in mechanical assembly, pipefitting, or mechanical trades. Experience in maintenance, fabrication shops, manufacturing, or process plant work experience preferred.
• High school diploma or GED certificate required. Associates degree in Mechatronics, Millwright, or completion of trade school/vocational certification program preferred.
• Experience working from procedures, P&IDs, construction drawings, work permits, and technical manuals.
• Experience developing or contributing to work instructions and standard operating procedures preferred.
• Certification in forklift or aerial lift operation (or ability to obtain).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of mechanical parts like hydraulics, motors, welding, and belt systems and how to work safely in those environments
• Strong mechanical aptitude and experience in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and schematics.
• Strong problem-solving and time management skills
• Capacity and willingness to learn and perform new duties or more complex assignments.
• Ability to work within a highly collaborative team
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others
• Ability to proactively collect, manage, and transfer knowledge
• Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when working on problems, challenges, and issues

Physical Demands

• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 40 pounds in all directions
• Communicating with others to exchange information
• Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment, or machinery
• Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams 
• Use hand tools

Environmental Conditions 

• High temperatures occasionally
• Noisy environments occasionally
• Lab or Manufacturing Environment
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced
• Rigging activities or environments involving heavy load movement
• Elevated heights
• Radiological or Controlled Environment

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, respirators, gloves, safety shoes, etc.

Certification

• Certification in forklift or aerial lift operation (or ability to obtain).

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires working weekends
• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires non-standard work-week hours
• Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

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About our Benefits

We know that we have some of the most talented and dedicated employees, and we believe in rewarding them accordingly. If you work here, full-time employees (excludes interns) expect to have access to the benefits below:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
• Paid Vacation
• 401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)

Kairos Power is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we do business. Kairos Power is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively welcome people of different experiences, abilities, and perspectives.

Kairos Power participates in E-Verify.

Candidates only, no recruiters or agencies please.

Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. To work in this facility, you need to be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries that are not on the Department of Energy’s general authorization list (link below) are not permitted to work in our facility unless the Department of Energy issues an export control license to the company to permit that individual to have access to Part 810-controlled information. The following questions are intended to determine the licensing requirements that may apply.