Chemical and Materials Engineering Internship

Job Summary

Kairos Power is offering exciting opportunities for students to join various Engineering teams in Salt Chemistry, Fuels and Materials teams for Summer 2026! This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and contribute to our mission on delivering an innovative technology that will impact climate change. 

Areas with potential internship opportunities:

• Chemical Test Engineering
• Materials Test Engineering
• Characterization Engineering
• Process Design Engineering
• Process Development Engineering
• Process Safety and Operations Engineering

General Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering teams on projects and research
• Apply technical skills in laboratory and field settings
• Assist with data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Contribute to process design, development, and safety initiatives
• Support the development and implementation of new technologies and solutions
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, records, and project documentation to ensure reproducibility and compliance
• Participate in team meetings, technical reviews, and cross-functional collaborations to broaden understanding of multidisciplinary engineering challenges
• Engage in training, mentorship, and learning opportunities to develop technical and professional skills
• Prepare and deliver presentations on project findings to peers, mentors, and leadership at the conclusion of the internship
• Assist with troubleshooting, maintenance, or improvement of laboratory and testing equipment under supervision
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled and pursuing a B.S, M.S, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Material Science, Materials Engineering or related field 
• Demonstrated application of technical skills outside of classroom setting through laboratory, research, extracurricular projects, personal projects, or prior internship/work experience is highly preferred
• Familiarity with engineering software (e.g., MATLAB, AutoCAD, Python)
• Understanding of basic engineering principles and practices
• Experience with experimental design, data collection, and analysis
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office application (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)
• Self-starter, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Proven team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself 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 Conditions 

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions
• 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
• Handling of Beryllium (Be)

The hourly range for this position is $28-$32 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.