Kairos Power

Kairos Power

Test Engineer

Alameda, CA · Senior · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$127k-$144kDetected 20 hours ago
PythonA/B TestingEmbedded SystemsRoboticsMechanical DesignElectrical EngineeringLabVIEWResearchCommunication

Stay score

odds of building a lasting career here

54Sponsors, lottery-bound
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role80
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level III)83
Fits your clock70

Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~45% per draw at Level III). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.

Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.

Personalize to your clock →

H-1B wage level

the lottery is wage-weighted — each level is one more entry

Level II · 2×
Level I$80,5791 entry
Level II$108,4722 entries
Level III$136,3443 entries
Level IV$164,2374 entries

$9,074 more — $136,344 — moves this role to Level III and 3 lottery entries. That figure is inside the range the employer already advertised.

Based on the DOL prevailing wage for this occupation and worksite, a base salary of $136,344 would place this position at wage Level III. That figure is within the posted range, and I'd like to target it. This role classifies under "Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers" for prevailing-wage purposes.

DOL prevailing wage, 2026-27 wage year · Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (15-1253) · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA. Wage level is derived by USCIS from the offered wage, occupation and worksite; the occupation shown is inferred from the job title.

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About the role

  • This role is centered on solving technical problems through a combination of engineering analysis, hands-on experimentation, rapid prototyping, and multidisciplinary system integration.
  • The Test Engineer applies established engineering principles and methods while exercising judgment in the evaluation and resolution of complex technical issues.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, fabricate, commission, and continuously improve experimental systems, prototype hardware, and laboratory equipment supporting advanced reactor technology development.
  • Investigate technical problems by combining engineering analysis with hands-on experimentation to identify root causes and develop practical solutions.
  • Design and integrate mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, instrumentation, and control system components into functioning experimental hardware.water
  • Develop, modify, and optimize laboratory equipment, manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and prototype systems to improve capability, reliability, safety, and throughput.
  • Plan, execute, and document engineering experiments that reduce technical uncertainty and generate actionable engineering knowledge.
  • Collaborate closely with design engineers, analysts, technicians, software engineers, and operations personnel to rapidly iterate hardware designs.
  • Design and implement instrumentation, data acquisition, automation, and control solutions supporting laboratory testing.
  • Produce engineering documentation including design packages, test procedures, operating procedures, technical reports, and design review materials.
  • Support commissioning, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory infrastructure and experimental facilities.

Requirements

  • 5+ years of experience designing, building, integrating, testing, commissioning, or troubleshooting experimental hardware or electromechanical systems.
  • Demonstrated experience integrating mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, pneumatic, or software systems.
  • Experience with CAD and mechanical design.
  • Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, controls, LabVIEW, PLCs, Python, embedded systems, or similar engineering tools is desirable.
  • Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to solve ambiguous technical problems through a combination of engineering reasoning, experimentation, and hands-on implementation.
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or related engineering discipline or equivalent demonstrated experience developing complex multidisciplinary engineering systems.
  • Experience developing laboratory equipment, prototype systems, manufacturing tooling, robotics, automation systems, or research infrastructure.
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply applicable laboratory and engineering safety practices when designing, building, testing, and operating experimental hardware.
  • Ability to develop test approaches, evaluate experimental data, and draw technically supported conclusions to inform engineering decisions.

Nice to have

  • Experience in nuclear, aerospace, robotics, scientific instrumentation, semiconductor, or other advanced technology environments is preferred.

Skills

  • Strong understanding of mechanical systems, fabrication methods, precision assembly, and prototype development.
  • Working knowledge of electrical systems, sensors, instrumentation, control hardware, and data acquisition.
  • Ability to rapidly learn unfamiliar technologies and apply them to engineering problems.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and process domains.
  • Ability to balance analytical engineering with practical implementation and rapid iteration.
  • Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
  • Demonstrated curiosity, initiative, and sound engineering judgment when working with incomplete information.
  • Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
  • Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
  • Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 20 pounds in all directions
  • Communicating with others to exchange information
  • Use hand tools

Compensation

  • The salary range for this position is $127,270 to $143,847 for employees working onsite at our Alameda, CA headquarters.

Company info

  • 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.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • 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
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This listing is sourced directly from Kairos Power's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.