Senior Plant Reliability Engineer

Kairos Power is an advanced nuclear energy company developing fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (KP-FHR) designed to deliver safe, affordable, and reliable clean energy at scale. The company takes an iterative development approach, building and testing reactor systems progressively to reduce technical and commercial risk before full deployment. Their technology combines proven reactor physics with innovative design to close the gap between advanced nuclear concepts and commercial viability. Kairos Power is currently constructing the Hermes demonstration reactor series in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with permits from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, marking a significant milestone in de-risking nuclear construction and supply chains for future commercial fleets. The company has formed the KP-OMADA advanced nuclear alliance, collaborating with major partners including Google and the Tennessee Valley Authority to pioneer new models for advanced nuclear deployment. Kairos Power pursues vertical integration by manufacturing reactor components, plant equipment modules, fuel, and molten salt coolant in-house across facilities in California, New Mexico, and Tennessee, enabling tight quality control and cost reduction. This comprehensive, self-reliant approach positions Kairos Power as a distinctive force in the clean energy transition, with nuclear energy central to its mission of decarbonizing the global energy system.

Job Summary

Kairos Power is seeking a Senior Plant Reliability Engineer to independently lead integrated reliability assessments and investigations supporting the design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and operation of nuclear and non-nuclear hardware demonstration projects. In this role, you will contribute to the development and commercialization of Kairos Power reactors. 

Responsibilities

• Independently lead integrated reliability assessments, hazard evaluations and technical investigations, partnering with cross-functional teams to integrate reliability considerations into hardware design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and operation. Update applicable assessments as needed based on changes to system design, configuration or operating conditions.
• Evaluate whether results of risk analyses meet acceptance criteria and characterize any remaining risk.
• Communicate technical conclusions, uncertainties and residual risks clearly to technical teams and leadership.
• Capture, evaluate and communicate operating experience and equipment performance data to inform component and system reliability, plant availability and improvements to current and future projects.  
• Mentor Reliability engineers in the application of reliability and risk analysis methods. 
• Improve Reliability program methods, guidance and work processes based on project needs and lessons learned.
• Provide Reliability support for selected major hardware demonstration projects during commissioning and operations, including shift coverage as needed.
• Collaborate with teams across Kairos Power sites, including travel as needed to support project activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include hands-on work involving hardware fabrication, assembly, testing, commissioning, and operation.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Nuclear Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Systems Engineering, or another relevant technical discipline.
• At least 10 years of engineering experience supporting the reliability and performance of plant systems and components, including experience performing integrated reliability and risk analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical assessments or investigations and develop documented conclusions in a fast-paced environment with incomplete or evolving information. 
• Experience applying qualitative and quantitative analysis methods such as FMEA, HAZOP, what-if analysis, fault tree analysis, event tree analysis, dependency analysis, or equivalent methods.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical work and build alignment across disciplines and organizational levels. 
• Experience providing technical review and mentoring other engineers. 
• Preferred experience analyzing operating, failure, maintenance, and outage data to evaluate component and system reliability, equipment unavailability and plant availability.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Ability to assess how component failures, system dependencies and operating conditions affect plant reliability and availability. 
• Ability to select and apply reliability and risk analysis methods appropriate to the question, decisions being supported and maturity of the hardware. 
• Ability to identify, document and communicate assumptions, data limitations and uncertainties in technical assessments. 
• Ability to interpret equipment performance and operating experience and identify reliability implications that inform engineering decisions 
• Ability to communicate technical findings and residual risks clearly to multidisciplinary teams and leadership. 

Physical Conditions

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts, and similar equipment.
• 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 weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Using hand tools.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment.
• Prototyping, testing, industrial, manufacturing, and construction environments in alignment with projects and assignments.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of assigned work.

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs.
• Reporting equipment issues or unsafe conditions.
• Wearing required PPE, including face masks, face shields, gloves, safety shoes, and other protective equipment as applicable.

Travel

• Approximately 25% travel may be required to support work across Kairos Power sites and other project locations. Travel may be concentrated during major project activities. 

Additional Requirements

• Requires schedule flexibility to support selected major hardware demonstration projects, including shift coverage and extended hours as needed.

 

• Onsite: #LI-Onsite