Senior Process Design Engineer

Job Summary

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Process Design Engineer. In this role, you will be immersed in a collaborative environment to contribute to the design, optimization, and documentation of main and auxiliary systems for Kairos Power's first low-power demonstration reactor, future commercial units, and related test systems. This position will allow you to make meaningful contributions within a multi-disciplinary team that is driving innovation in the field of advanced nuclear energy.

Responsibilities

• Support process design and integration, evaluation, selection, and thermal design for main and auxiliary systems in a dynamic, iterative design environment
• Develop and maintain Piping and Instrument Diagrams (P&IDs), Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), and Heat and Mass Balances (HMBs).
• Support the development of plant operational states and modes, and Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEAs)
• Conduct sizing and rating analysis and develop equipment specifications for plant structures, systems and components, including heat exchangers, control valves, pressure relief valves, pumps, piping, tanks, compressors, blowers, heat tracing, insulation, etc.
• Develop and document system design, modes of operation, required controls and interlocks, and maintenance plans for full plant life cycle
• Interface with Mechanical Design, Structural, Instrumentation & Controls, Operations, and other Process Design Engineers to ensure designs meet plant needs
• Provide and maintain subject matter expertise for thermal design and heat transfer equipment; interface with vendors and customers as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar discipline
• 10+ years of relevant industry experience in refining, chemical, or power generation process design engineering (or equivalent industry)
• Experience with designing systems for molten salt, liquid metals, high-temperature, petrochemical processes, nuclear systems, or power generation is required
• Experience with using process simulation and/or hydraulic simulation software (Aspen Plus, Pro/II, Hysys, AFT Fathom/Arrow, SiNet, Apros, etc.)
• Experience in supporting a new product development cycle from concept to commissioning
• Experience with developing Heat and Mass Balance Diagrams, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, Process Flow Diagrams
• Experience with developing equipment and associated product specifications and performing selection of heat exchangers, pumps, blowers, chillers, control valves, relief valves, tanks, heat tracing, insulation, etc.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to lead or significantly contribute to the development of PFDs, P&IDs, Heat and Mass Balance Diagrams, and other key process documentation throughout the design lifecycle.
• Ability to independently conduct engineering analyses, including thermal sizing, hydraulic simulations, and FMEA studies, using relevant industry software tools.
• Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills for interfacing across interdisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in process simulation and hydraulic modeling tools (e.g., Aspen Plus, AFT Fathom, Apros), and the ability to interpret results to inform design decisions.
• In-depth knowledge of heat transfer and thermal equipment design, with the ability to serve as a subject matter expert and interface with vendors on technical issues.
• Familiarity with systems engineering principles and their application to complex, integrated plant designs.
• Understanding of codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks relevant to advanced reactor systems or high-temperature chemical processes (e.g., ASME, API, ANSI).
• Ability to develop and review technical specifications for equipment procurement and ensure conformance to performance and safety requirements.

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• 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
• 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 (up to 20%)

Certification

Additional Requirements

• Requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires non-standard work-week hours
• Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch 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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