Fuels Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical Engineer

Job Summary 

Kairos Power is seeking an Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical (IC&E) Engineer to support the design, development, implementation, and optimization of instrumentation, controls and automation systems for the Kairos Power Fuels program. In this role, you will perform IC&E engineering activities for prototype and production systems supporting TRISO fuel fabrication, including equipment and instrumentation selection, design integration, system implementation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Perform IC&E design and engineering activities for prototype and production systems supporting TRISO fuel fabrication.
• Implement and configure process automation solutions in coordination with process, mechanical and other engineering disciplines based on defined process requirements, control narratives and safety design requirements.
• Develop equipment and instrumentation specifications and select appropriate IC&E components, including instrumentation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), motors, controllers, and input/output (I/O) components, based on process, control and operational requirements.
• Develop and review IC&E engineering requirements, equipment and instrumentation lists, data sheets, and related technical documentation.
• Review and contribute to piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) and other process documentation to support the development and integration of IC&E designs.
• Interpret Cause-and-Effect (C&E) diagrams and translate defined control requirements into control sequences and associated IC&E implementation.
• Participate in design reviews to evaluate mechanical and process designs for IC&E integration and define cabling, instrumentation, electrical interface, and equipment-control requirements.
• Coordinate with CAD and other design personnel to develop cable routing and instrumentation and electrical interface requirements for process equipment and skid designs.
• Provide hands-on engineering support for the fabrication, assembly, installation, integration, and checkout of controls and instrumentation for assigned systems.
• Develop and support execution of commissioning plans, procedures, functional tests, and associated test documentation for instrumentation, controls and process equipment.
• Support checkout and verification of instrumentation and control system inputs, outputs, alarms, interlocks, control sequences, scaling, and calibration in accordance with approved design requirements.
• Interface with vendors and suppliers to support technical evaluation, selection, procurement, and integration of equipment and instrumentation.
• Collect, review and analyze system and operational data to identify opportunities to improve IC&E design, system performance, reliability, maintainability, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Troubleshoot process automation, instrumentation, controls, and equipment issues during fabrication, commissioning, startup, and operations and support development and implementation of appropriate technical solutions.
• Participate in process hazard analyses and design and operational safety reviews, including HAZOP and What-If analyses, as applicable.
• Prepare and review IC&E engineering reports and other technical documentation related to assigned systems and engineering activities.
• Collaborate with facility operations and engineering teams to implement, optimize and sustain TRISO fuel fabrication processes and associated automation and control systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related engineering discipline; an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in instrumentation, controls, electrical, process automation, or related engineering work in a chemical, pharmaceutical, industrial, manufacturing, or similar process environment.
• Experience developing or implementing instrumentation and control solutions for industrial or process equipment.
• Experience reading, interpreting and working with engineering documentation such as PFDs, P&IDs, equipment lists, instrumentation data sheets, control narratives, and Cause-and-Effect diagrams.
• Experience specifying or selecting instrumentation and controls equipment based on process and operational requirements.
• Experience supporting the installation, integration, testing, commissioning, or startup of instrumentation, controls, automation, or process equipment.
• Experience working with hazardous processes or chemicals and applying appropriate engineering and safety controls.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Rockwell / Allen-Bradley platforms (Studio 5000, CompactLogix or ControlLogix), including Add-On Instruction development and version management is preferred.
• Experience with Ignition or a comparable modern SCADA platform is preferred.
• Experience with EtherNet/IP remote I/O and IO-Link device architectures is preferred.
• Experience in nuclear, radiological or other regulated manufacturing environments, including their documentation and traceability expectations is preferred.
• Experience with modular skid design, fabrication and field integration, and with process unit operations such as powder handling, thermal processing, coating, compaction, or solvent recovery is preferred.
• Exposure to TRISO fuel, advanced ceramics, graphite and carbon-based materials, or high-temperature process systems is preferred.
• Experience scripting or automating engineering tasks (for example, Python or VBA) to generate controls code, tag databases, or test documentation is preferred.
• Experience with 2D or 3D design software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks or equivalent) sufficient to produce and mark up fabrication and installation drawings is preferred.
• Familiarity with process hazard analysis methods and functional safety concepts is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of instrumentation and process control principles, including measurement, control loops, alarms, interlocks, control sequencing, and basic process automation concepts.
• Knowledge of industrial controls equipment and components, including PLCs, VFDs, motors, controllers, I/O, process instrumentation, and associated electrical interfaces.
• Ability to apply instrumentation scaling and calibration principles during system design, checkout, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to troubleshoot instrumentation, control and automation system issues using engineering documentation, system data, equipment information, and observed system performance.
• Ability to support functional testing and verification of instrumentation, controls and process equipment in accordance with approved design requirements and test procedures.
• Ability to analyze technical and operational data and use findings to support engineering decisions and system improvements.
• Ability to prepare clear and accurate engineering documentation, requirements, reports, plans, and test records.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively and collaborate across engineering, operations, EHS, quality, and vendor or supplier teams.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering activities and priorities while maintaining accuracy, documentation quality and attention to technical requirements.
• Ability to apply established safety requirements and practices when working with process equipment, instrumentation, controls, and hazardous processes.

Physical Conditions

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like.
• 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 10 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment.
• Noisy environments.
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions.
• Assessing 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 footwear, and other PPE as required.

Travel

• Some travel may be required, up to 5%

Additional Requirements  

• Seldom requires working weekends. 
• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility.
• Seldom requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines .