Kairos Power

Develops fluoride-salt cooled high-temperature reactor

Mechanical Engineer - HVAC and Plumbing Systems

Building Services EngineeringUpdated on Nov 5

Full-timeAlbuquerque, NM, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field is required; a master's degree is a plus.
At least seven years of relevant experience in mechanical design or facilities engineering, focused on building systems.
Proficiency with computer-aided design software such as AutoCAD and Revit, and with building information modeling software.
Proficiency with HVAC load-calculation and energy-modeling software, and ability to use energy-modeling and engineering-analysis tools.
Strong understanding of building mechanical systems, including HVAC and plumbing.
Knowledge of relevant industry standards and building codes, including ASHRAE and NFPA.
Knowledge of psychrometrics, ventilation, indoor air quality, and temperature and humidity control principles.
Knowledge of domestic water, sanitary drainage, and vent system design principles, including backflow prevention.
Ability to evaluate equipment and system alternatives based on capacity, reliability, maintainability, energy use, and life-cycle cost.
Occasional weekend work, schedule flexibility, and extended hours may be required to support launch and critical project timelines.
The role may require working in office, outdoor, laboratory, nuclear/radiological, prototyping/test, manufacturing/industrial, and controlled environments; exposure may include extreme temperatures, noise, chemical odors or fumes, enclosed spaces, and elevated heights.
Ability to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, and articulated boom lifts; remain stationary for extended periods; move between worksites and through confined spaces; and move, install, position, or remove objects up to 25 pounds.
Ability to read and interpret hazardous warning signs, report equipment issues or unsafe conditions, distinguish colors, and wear required personal protective equipment.
The position is in a facility handling information subject to Department of Energy export control restrictions; access to Part 810-controlled information requires Department of Energy authorization. Foreign nationals from countries outside the general authorization list require a DOE export-control license for the company to permit access.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of mechanical systems for new construction and renovation projects, including HVAC and plumbing.
Prepare detailed schematics, technical drawings, specifications, and reports using computer-aided design and building information modeling software.
Perform complex engineering calculations, including preliminary cooling and heating load calculations, review load-calculation results for consistency with project requirements, airflow and ductwork calculations, and psychrometric analysis, using relevant engineering-analysis software.
Collaborate with Facilities Maintenance and cross-functional teams, including architects, structural and electrical engineers, contractors, and project managers, to ensure integrated system designs.
Ensure mechanical designs and installations comply with local, state, and federal building codes and standards.
Provide technical support during construction, installation, and commissioning, including reviewing shop drawings, conducting site inspections, and resolving field issues.
Investigate equipment failures or operational difficulties in existing systems, diagnose faulty operations, and recommend remedies and efficiency improvements.
Evaluate and select materials and equipment, coordinating with suppliers and vendors for procurement.
Integrate energy-efficient and sustainable design practices, including LEED certification requirements, into building systems.
Develop and document HVAC and plumbing design criteria based on facility use, occupancy, operating requirements, and available utility capacity.
Evaluate equipment access, service clearances, and maintenance and replacement provisions during design reviews.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

A Professional Engineer license is preferred.
Experience with building management systems such as WebCTRL, Carrier HAP, or Trane TRACE is a plus.

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

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Mechanical Engineer to design and develop HVAC and plumbing systems, oversee their installation, and provide engineering support for their maintenance within our commercial and institutional facilities. This role will collaborate with Facilities Maintenance and multidisciplinary project teams to support reliable, efficient building operations and ensure mechanical systems meet applicable codes, standards, and project sustainability goals.

Responsibilities

Design and Development: Lead the design and development of mechanical systems for new construction and renovation projects, including HVAC and plumbing.
Technical Documentation: Prepare detailed schematics, technical drawings, specifications, and reports using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
Calculations and Analysis: Perform complex engineering calculations, such as preliminary cooling and heating load calculations, review load calculation results for consistency with project requirements, airflow and ductwork calculations, psychometric analysis, etc., using relevant engineering analysis software.
Collaboration: Work closely with our Facilities Maintenance Department and other cross-functional teams, including architects, structural and electrical engineers, contractors, and project managers, to ensure integrated and seamless system designs.
Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure all mechanical designs and installations comply with local, state, and federal building codes and standards (e.g., ASHRAE, NFPA).
Project Management Support: Provide technical support during the construction, installation, and commissioning phases, including reviewing shop drawings, conducting site inspections, and resolving field issues.
Troubleshooting and Optimization: Investigate equipment failures or operational difficulties in existing systems, diagnose faulty operations, and recommend effective remedies and efficiency improvements.
Equipment Selection: Evaluate and select appropriate materials and equipment, coordinating with suppliers and vendors for procurement.
Sustainability Initiatives: Integrate energy-efficient and sustainable design practices, such as LEED certification requirements, into building systems.
Design Criteria: Develop and document HVAC and plumbing design criteria based on facility use, occupancy, operating requirements, and available utility capacity.
Maintainability Reviews: Evaluate equipment access, service clearances, and provisions for maintenance and replacement during design reviews.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; Master's degree is a plus
Minimum of (7) years of relevant experience in mechanical design or facilities engineering, with a focus on building systems
Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred
Experience with BMS’s such as WebCTRL, Carrier HAP, or TRANE Trace is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Proficiency with CAD software (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.) and BIM software.
Proficiency with HVAC load calculation and energy modeling software
Strong understanding of building mechanical systems, including HVAC and plumbing.
Ability to use energy modeling and engineering analysis tools.
Knowledge of relevant industry standards and building codes.
Knowledge of psychrometrics, ventilation, indoor air quality, and temperature and humidity control principles.
Knowledge of domestic water, sanitary drainage, and vent system design principles, including backflow prevention.
Ability to evaluate equipment and system alternatives based on capacity, reliability, maintainability, energy use, and life-cycle cost.

Physical Demands

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 25 lbs
Communicating with others to exchange information

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
Elevated heights
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced
Laboratory environment (chemical)
Laboratory environment (nuclear/radiological)
Prototyping/Test Facilities
Manufacturing/Industrial Environments
Radiological/Controlled Environments

Safety and PPE

Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
Color identification: detecting, distinguishing, recognizing and identifying colors
Wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), to include hard hat, safety vest, eye protection, safety shoes, and other PPE as required

Travel

Some travel may be required (5%)

Certification/Licensure

Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred

Additional Requirements

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

#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

About the Company

Kairos Power

Develops fluoride-salt cooled high-temperature reactor

Kairos Power develops the KP-FHR, a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor that uses TRISO fuel to generate electricity at low pressure. Heat from the fuel moves through a single-pass molten fluoride salt loop to a power cycle, keeping the reactor at low pressure to simplify containment. The company uses a vertically integrated, iterative path by building test units and demonstration plants to de-risk licensing, manufacturing, and construction before commercial deployment. Its goal is to provide clean, reliable, cost-competitive electricity, with Hermes being demonstrated in Oak Ridge and partnerships with Google and TVA guiding early deployment.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $643M
Headquarters: Alameda, CA
Founded: 2016

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