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Nuclear Engineer, Neutronics

Alameda, CA

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 currently seeking a Nuclear Engineer, Neutronics to join our Nuclear Design and Methods team and assist in the design and construction of our Gen IV test reactor, Hermes. As we work towards achieving first criticality by 2026, we are searching for a highly motivated individual who is eager to make a tangible impact in the world. At Kairos Power, we value collaboration and innovation, and we welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds to join our team.

As a member of the Nuclear Design and Methods team, you will play an integral role in the development of Hermes, contributing to a historical milestone and working alongside a team of skilled professionals. The ideal candidate will share our passion for improving people's quality of life through the development and deployment of advanced reactors. We are looking for someone with a strong technical foundation in methods pertaining to neutronics, reactor physics, radiation transport and detection, T/H and Neutronics coupled phenomena, and who possesses a natural inclination towards innovation.

In this fast-paced environment, the ability to quickly learn and apply technical knowledge is essential. If you possess a strong drive to succeed and are excited about the prospect of contributing to a real-world project with significant global implications, we encourage you to apply for this position. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and shape the future of nuclear methods development, contributing to the safety and success of advanced nuclear technologies.

Responsibilities

  • Develop innovative methods for KP-AGREE models to enhance coupled neutronic and thermal-hydraulic simulations for unique nuclear reactor physics of FHRs.
  • Implement and validate numerical methods in KP-AGREE, leveraging expertise in CFD high-fidelity methods, Monte Carlo simulations, and deterministic solvers.
  • Automate workflows using Fortran, Java, and Python programming language, improving efficiency for input generation, data extraction, and results visualization.
  • Conduct benchmarking and verification of KP-AGREE models against high-fidelity CFD models or experimental testing data from Kairos Power laboratory.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate KP-AGREE across multiple Kairos Power interfaces.
  • Perform reactor physics analyses in support of the Final Safety Analysis report (FSAR) of the Hermes test reactor.
  • Work closely with stakeholders to ensure alignment between method development and validation needs.
  • Develop and curate V&V approaches for each application of nuclear information.
  • Tailor method development and V&V approaches for specific applications.
  • Continuously work towards achieving a minimum viable product for nuclear methods.
  • Implement and oversee software quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability and accuracy of developed methods.
  • Define and enforce acceptance criteria for nuclear methods.
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Nuclear Engineering or a related field.
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience in nuclear methods development, software quality assurance, and method qualification.
  • Proven expertise in Verification and Validation (V&V) processes and defining acceptance criteria.
  • Familiarity with I/O of Serpent2, MCNP, SCALE, PARCS/AGREE, StarCCM+, and other relevant tools and methods.
  • Flexibility to use different coding languages (e.g., Fortran, Python, Java, C++, Bash), GitHub for version control and collaboration, and other tools to streamline development workflows and maintain code quality.

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
  • High temperatures
  • 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
  • Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
  • Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes

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 $106,300 to $125,100 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.

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

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