Senior Civil Structural Engineer

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 looking for an experienced Structural Engineer to support the structural analysis and design efforts for medium-to-large projects involving a Generation IV nuclear power plant, and related scaled prototype and test plants.  The Structural Engineer is responsible for meeting applicable project requirements and ensuring the technical accuracy of assigned structural analyses and designs. 

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative and safe civil/structural engineering designs for nuclear facilities, including buildings, foundations, support structures.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant codes, standards, and regulations governing nuclear projects, such as ASCE, ACI, IBC, ASME and NRC guidelines; implement safety measures to meet strict nuclear safety requirements.
• Perform structural analyses, including seismic and dynamic analyses, load calculations, and finite element analysis, to ensure structural integrity under various operating conditions and external events.
• Collaborate with project teams, construction managers, and contractors during construction phase to provide technical guidance, resolve engineering issues, and ensure adherence to design specifications.
• Conduct risk assessments and participate in hazard analysis studies to identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies for commercial and nuclear facilities.
• Review and, when assigned, approve engineering documents, calculations, and drawings to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with project requirements and industry standards.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and nuclear engineers, to integrate civil and structural designs into overall plant systems.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, design specifications, and construction documentation. Communicate project status, challenges, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and regulatory authorities as necessary.
• Stay updated with advancements in civil and structural engineering for nuclear applications.
• Perform seismic integrity evaluations of the Reactor Building to demonstrate compliance with design-basis earthquake requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in civil/structural engineering, including structural analysis, design of buildings, foundations, and support structures.
• Active P.E. (Professional Engineering) License in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; P.E. licensure in California, New Mexico or Tennessee is preferred.
• Knowledge of Finite Element Analysis software (e.g. Ansys, LS-DYNA) is a plus.
• Experience supporting nuclear projects, such as nuclear power plants, nuclear facilities, or radioactive waste management facilities, is preferred.
• Familiarity with nuclear-specific regulatory requirements, design standards, and engineering processes is also preferred.
• Structural Engineer (SE) license, the American Nuclear Society Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) credential, relevant structural analysis certifications, or other related professional certifications are a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of civil and structural engineering projects, codes and standards applicable to nuclear facilities.
• Proficiency in structural analysis software (e.g. SAP2000) and computer-aided design (CAD) software (e.g. SolidWorks, Revit, AutoCad).
• Familiar with plant layout software (e.g. AVEVA, AutoCad Plant 3D).
• Experienced in seismic analysis and design, including familiarity with seismic codes and regulations.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills to address complex engineering challenges.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines.
• Knowledge of nuclear safety culture principles and commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards.
• Ability to adapt to evolving project needs, evaluate new technical approaches, and collaborate across disciplines.

Physical Demands

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

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced
• Manufacturing/Industrial Environment
• Prototyping/Testing environment

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Wearing proper PPE, which may include respiratory protection, face protection, gloves, protective clothing, safety footwear, or other PPE as required

Travel

• Some travel may be required (up to 10%)

Certification

Professional Engineer (P.E.) License

Additional Requirements

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

The salary range for this position is $140,611 to $165,425 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.

#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