Part-time Characterization Co-Op @ Kairos Power

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 part-time Characterization Co-Op will work in the Fuels and Materials team to support various materials qualification programs, fuels fabrication programs, and deployment of new characterization capabilities. You will report to the Manager of Characterization and work closely with the lead for characterization at Kairos Power’s Albuquerque location. We are looking for a Co-op to join us during the school year from January to June 2024 with opportunity for extension into the summer.

Responsibilities

Perform characterization to support structural materials qualification programs, including metallographic sample preparation, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron back-scatter diffraction, optical microscopy.
Perform characterization to support TRISO and fuel pebble fabrication and quality control programs, including metallographic sample preparation, X-ray computed tomography
Develop new characterization methods in wet chemistry and analytical chemistry for TRISO particle and fuel pebble characterization
Support in installation and commissioning new characterization equipment
Support in development and writing of characterization procedures

Qualifications

Senior year undergraduate, Masters or PhD student majoring in Materials Science, Materials Engineering or related discipline
Previous academic or internship experience with hands-on experiments and data analysis is required
Solid foundation and understanding on fundamentals of mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of materials is required
Knowledge of stainless steel, graphite, or TRISO is a plus
Exposure to data handling and modeling is a plus
Strong technical communicator: actively listens for and identify the team’s needs, anticipate priorities and keep the team apprised of relevant information

Physical Conditions

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts, etc.
Setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding, ladders)
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
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 10pounds in all directions
Communicating with others to exchange information
Use hand tools
Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams

Environmental Conditions

General office environment
Low temperatures
High temperatures
Outdoor environment or elements such as precipitation and wind
Noisy environments
Small and/or enclosed spaces
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
Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes

#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.

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

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth