Director, Manufacturing Industrialization & Scaling

Alameda, CA 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 The Director, Manufacturing Industrialization & Scaling leads the evolution of FHR manufacturing from today’s process development, and integrated demonstrations to full production readiness, ensuring scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This role coordinates the development of the long-term manufacturing roadmap including detailed make vs. buy/partner strategy, facility footprint and resource growth strategy, and capability scaling. Reporting to the Vice President of Manufacturing, and working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain & Procurement, Finance, and Operations, this role is accountable for developing robust manufacturing strategies, cost models, scalable production processes, and systems that enable predictable growth while strengthening manufacturing quality, safety, and delivery performance. This role leads a team that defines manufacturing industrialization strategies, manufacturing readiness, manufacturing engineering, manufacturing architecture, and cross-functional integration. Responsibilities Owns the manufacturing industrialization strategy, driving the transition from R&D to scalable, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing across facilities and product lines in collaboration with other manufacturing, engineering, and cross-functional leaders. Leads development and execution of the long-range manufacturing roadmap, and staged manufacturing scaling plan, consolidating stakeholder inputs to define manufacturing readiness, required capabilities, site and facility selection, workforce model, capital roadmap, technologies, and investments to support throughput growth, quality improvement, and risk reduction. Owns annual and multi-year CapEx/OpEx planning for manufacturing, prioritizing investments aligned to key operational drivers including capacity, quality, cost, and risk mitigation. Develop and mature cost-tracking processes, cost models, and lifecycle production economics (prototype through optimized production) to improve cost visibility, forecasting, pricing strategy, and executive decision-making, and to drive cost-engineer feedback into design engineering teams, in collaboration with manufacturing, supply-chain, finance, and human resources leadership. Partners cross-functionally with engineering, operations, supply chain & procurement, finance, and quality innovation to define manufacturability requirements, integrate operating experience into manufacturing processes, and mature products and processes through each lifecycle phase. Improves schedule confidence by working with manufacturing integration and operations, planning, and shop leadership to understand bottlenecks in early production to inform engineering feedback and DFM processes that improve part manufacturability before higher-volume commitments. Collaborates with manufacturing leaders to establish advanced machining, fabrication, metrology, and material-prep, and test-cell capabilities early. Pilots critical processes and production technologies to mature process control, automation integration, cost structure and equipment utilization ahead of high-rate production, reducing risk to future facility investments. Foster a culture of operational excellence where safety, quality, and continuous improvement are foundational to scaling success. Provides leadership and direction to manufacturing staff responsible for developing and executing manufacturing growth plans, establishes performance expectations, coaches and mentors team members, and builds technical depth, adaptability, and engagement over time. Aligns internal and external capability decisions using Make-vs-Partner framework and validated cost, quality, and schedule performance data, enabling data-driven vertical-integration and supply chain strategy tied to long-term production and scaling goals. Drives accountability across manufacturing teams by supporting execution plans and resource strategies and leading regular reviews of performance metrics. Builds scaling maturity tracking and KPIs that bridge development-phase uncertainty with production-phase predictability and provide clear visibility into readiness, risk, and performance for executive leadership. Build and maintain cost models for Make-vs-Partner, CapEx investment, cost-engineering, and lifecycle production economics (prototype to optimized production) to guide executive decision-making. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technical management, or related field OR equivalent combination of education, technical certifications, and relevant experience. 12+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing, engineering operations, or R&D infrastructure, including 5+ years in a leadership/people management role. Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplinary technical teams in a complex, high-consequence environment. Experience with R&D laboratories, pilot plants, or advanced manufacturing strongly preferred. Proven ability to develop talent, build cohesive teams, and lead through change. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Deep knowledge of manufacturing engineering, industrialization practices, and process development including process characterization, qualification, validation, and readiness for scale. Strong understanding of production system design encompassing throughput analysis, capacity modeling, factory layout, workflow optimization, and technology selection. Demonstrated experience leading scale-up from prototype or pilot to full-rate production, including deployment of new manufacturing technologies, automation, and capital equipment. Skilled in long-range operations planning, including development of multi-year capability roadmaps and investment strategies for capacity, quality, and risk reduction. Ability to translate product and design requirements into robust, manufacturable processes, partnering effectively with manufacturing operations, planning and quality, as well as engineering, supply chain, and quality functions. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to use data to assess process performance, identify risks, and drive structured improvement. Proven leadership of cross-functional teams, with the ability to influence without authority, align stakeholders, and drive decisions in ambiguous, fast-paced environments. Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate manufacturing strategy, technology needs, risks, and trade-offs to technical and executive audiences. Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies and digital tools, such as automation, MES, PLM, simulation, and statistical methods for process control. Ability to build and develop high-performing technical teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Demonstrated commitment to fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning within a technical workforce. Ability to work with 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 Conditions Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regular visits to engineering labs, prototype areas, and active manufacturing facilities. Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like. Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods. Must be able to stand, walk, and move through production areas including around equipment, tooling, and in-process materials. Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Communicating with others to exchange information Operating motor vehicles. Use hand tools. Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment when in manufacturing or laboratory spaces including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and other PPE as needed. Exposure to varying temperatures, noise levels, and industrial environments during lab and manufacturing space visits or vendor audits. Ability to travel between company sites and to supplier facilities as required for manufacturing readiness, process reviews, or equipment acceptance activities. Environmental Conditions High temperatures. Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions. Evaluated heights. Accessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned. High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced. Safety and PPE Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials Travel Some travel may be required, up to 40% Certification Relevant professional certifications such as Six Sigma, Lean, PMP, or industry-specific credentials are preferred. Additional Requirements Occasionally requires working weekends Often requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines The salary range for this position is $205,313 to $256,641 for employees working onsite at our Alameda, CA headquarters. The range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired in California. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and a comparison to other employees already in the role. #LI-Onsite 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. Candidates only, no recruiters or agencies please. #J-18808-Ljbffr Kairos