Kairos Power

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Remote Handling and Full Scale Integration

Oak Ridge, TN · Senior · Contract

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 159 days ago

PythonMATLABSystems EngineeringMechanical DesignHardware DesignPower ElectronicsLabVIEWCollaborationProblem SolvingMentoring

About the role

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer focused on Remote Handling Special Components with expertise in modular hardware design for remotely operated systems.
This role is centered on the design, physical integration, and demonstration of remote handling technologies through full-scale mockups and prototype builds. The Senior Engineer will drive 1:1 scale integration efforts to validate interfaces, clearances, tolerances, and handling sequences-systematically derisking reactor maintenance strategies prior to deployment.
This position integrates remote handling requirements directly into component architecture and system interfaces to enable efficient assembly, maintenance, inspection, and long-term operability. The role emphasizes hands-on engineering, rapid build-test cycles, and cross-functional collaboration in a highly regulated environment.

Apply lifecycle design principles including maintainability, inspectability, and decommissioning
Develop and maintain interface control documentation supporting plant-level integration
Design, build, and evaluate 1:1 scale mockups and integration test articles to validate handling concepts
Develop structured test plans and acceptance criteria for full-scale demonstrations
Implement design updates based on mockup results, demonstrations, and operational feedback
Support project planning and cost estimation for integration and testing activities
Maintain configuration-controlled design documentation

8+ years of experience developing hardware for demanding applications
Demonstrated experience with full-scale prototypes, physical integration, and hardware demonstrations
Experience with servos, motors, electromagnets, or related power electronics
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Expertise in high-temperature systems
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
Experience integrating mechanical and electrical systems for remote operation preferred
Background in low-voltage systems, optical systems, and compact packaging
Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude in laboratory and shop environments
Experience developing physical mockups and rapid prototypes

Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries preferred
Molten salt or advanced reactor experience a plus
Working knowledge of ASME codes and piping standards preferred
Familiarity with data acquisition tools (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python) a plus
Experience mentoring junior engineers preferred

Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)

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. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/10/appendix-A_to_part_810

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

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