Senior Mechanical Engineer, High-Temperature Fluid Systems and Component Design

Job Summary  

The Chemistry Control System (CCS) Team is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer with experience in full cycle design and construction of pilot or industrial scale fluid mechanical systems and components for high-temperature fluids or other large, complex tests and experiments.  

The successful candidate will lead and coordinate the detailed CCS design including vessels and piping, instrumentation/sensor interfaces, fluid-mechanical equipment and components, and system structures. The position requires a strong aptitude for mechanical design engineering analysis, systems integration, novel component development, and industrial or pilot scale system deployment. You will be expected to regularly interface with multi-disciplinary teams, including piping and vessel design, plant process design, instrumentation controls and electrical engineering, and manufacturing. This role will work closely with the Chemistry Control System Lead Engineer and will be a key contributor to the Hermes Reactor design, Kairos Power’s first-of-a-kind low-power demonstration reactor.  

Responsibilities 

• Leads the mechanical design and deployment of high-temperature fluid systems, integrating vessels, piping, instrumentation, heating, and structures.
• Develops detailed CAD models, mechanical drawings, and P&IDs to support design reviews, analysis, and fabrication.
• Designs or guides the design and selection of system components like pumps, valves, heaters, filters, and instruments in collaboration with internal teams and outside vendors.
• Conducts thermal, fluid, and structural analyses to validate and optimize designs.
• Leads engineering analyses and studies, prepares and reviews technical documentation, and delivers clear presentations and briefings to leadership, vendors, and external reviewers.
• Leads and participates in design reviews and risk assessments to align on design direction, identify gaps and open items, and gather stakeholder feedback.
• Collaborates closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including manufacturing, process design, instrumentation & controls, and engineering testing.
• Generates and maintains interfaces with other engineering subsystems.
• Works with testing and R&D teams on engineering tests aimed at characterizing subcomponents and informing designs.
• Oversees and coordinates component and system fabrication, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operation.
• Mentors and reviews work performed by early career engineers
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Nuclear, or other engineering-related discipline
• 7+ years of demonstrated R&D or industry experience in hands-on mechanical design and deployment in chemical, power generation, oil & gas, nuclear, defense, or aerospace industries.
• Experience designing large-scale engineering tests, fluid handling systems, process equipment, or complex systems and components 
• Experience leading system integration efforts and managing interfaces across mechanical, electrical, and control systems
• Experience performing thermal-mechanical engineering analyses and with FEA codes or software (ANSYS, COMSOL, Abaqus, etc.).
• Experience delivering designs under mechanical codes and standards such as ASME
• Demonstrated ability to drive design projects from concept to deployment in complex, interdisciplinary environments.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver designs through manufacturing, deployment, and operation.
• Experience developing test plans, assembly procedures, and operational procedures
• Experience designing or deploying high-temperature fluid systems for molten salt, high-temperature gas, liquid metals, or similar systems is a plus 
• Experience with design, development, and manufacturing of high-temperature components like pumps, valves, sensors, or processing apparatuses is a plus 
• Knowledge of CFD analysis tools (Fluent, Star CCM) is a plus
• Background designing for nuclear-grade service, corrosive environments, high temperatures, or other extreme service conditions is a plus  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Expertise in 3D CAD design and creating fabrication/assembly drawings (SolidWorks, Creo, Autodesk etc.)
• Knowledge of DFM principals and GD&T standards/practices 
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of one self 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 

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 30 pounds in all directions
• Use of machine and hand tools
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another 

Environmental Conditions 

• General office environment
• Laboratory environment
• Occasional manufacturing and industrial plant environments
• Noisy environments
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced 

Safety and PPE 

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes 

Travel 

• Some travel may be required (10-15%)   

Additional Requirements 

• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility 
• Occasionally requires extended, or non-standard hours to support deployment activities and critical project timelines  

The salary range for this position is $140,600 to $165,400 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.

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