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Fuels Program Operator

Albuquerque, NM

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

Reporting to the Fuel Operations Manager, the Fuels Program Operator supports the development and production of pebble fuel for Kairos Power’s fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor. This role is responsible for operating and maintaining laboratory production equipment and executing manufacturing processes in a safe and compliant manner. Working as part of a collaborative operations team, the operator ensures quality standards are met while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

  • Operate and maintain fuel manufacturing equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures and safety requirements.
  • Monitor process conditions and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
  • Assist in executing the manufacturing process for pebble fuel, TRISO particles, and related support operations.
  • Inspect materials and finished products to verify compliance with quality and safety standards.
  • Identify and report non-conformities and quality anomalies to leadership.
  • Ensure testing and inspection equipment is calibrated and functioning correctly.
  • Document and report test data and inspection results; contribute to drafting quality reports.
  • Support continuous improvement of quality control procedures and production workflows.
  • Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to evaluate and improve workflows, resource utilization, and production layouts.
  • Identify areas for process optimization and assist in implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement strategies.
  • Develop and maintain accurate documentation, including work instructions, process improvements, and engineering standards.
  • Provide training and operational guidance to team members on best practices and new technologies.
  • Contribute to a positive team culture focused on learning, safety, and performance.
  • Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to support decision-making and process evaluation.
  • Perform basic troubleshooting and routine maintenance on production equipment to minimize downtime and ensure reliability.
  • Assist with tracking and managing raw materials, consumables, and tools to support uninterrupted operations.
  • Actively participate in EHS programs, including hazard identification, reporting, and corrective actions.
  • Maintain accurate logs of production data, equipment performance, and quality checks to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.
  • Work with cross-disciplinary teams including quality, engineering, and facilities to support integrated operations and problem-solving.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment by following established housekeeping standards and promptly addressing hazards or inefficiencies in the workspace.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree in engineering technology, industrial operations, or a related technical field preferred.
  • Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a production or manufacturing environment.
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Quality Sciences, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Experience developing or implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, or job aids is a plus.
  • Experience in a ISO Certified Organization that uses process control and prior step verification is a plus.
  • Basic knowledge of production machinery operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
  • Familiarity with automated manufacturing or control systems (e.g., PLCs, HMIs, SCADA).
  • Ability to read and interpret technical documents such as blueprints and manuals.
  • Familiarity with quality control processes and safety regulations in manufacturing.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and solve production problems early.
  • Basic computer skills for data logging to input and track production data.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment and follow instructions carefully.
  • Demonstrates capacity and willingness to learn and perform new duties or more complex assignments
  • Ability to work with highly collaborative team.
  • Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
  • Prioritizes and ensures safety of one self and others.
  • Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge.
  • Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when working on problems, challenges and issues.

Physical Demands

  • Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
  • Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
  • Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 40 pounds in all directions
  • Communicating with others to exchange information
  • Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment, or machinery
  • Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams

Environmental Conditions

  • High temperatures
  • Noisy environments
  • Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions
  • Accessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
  • High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

  • Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials
  • Color identification: detecting, distinguishing, recognizing and identifying colors
  • Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
  • Handling of radiological materials
  • Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
  • Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, respirators, gloves, safety shoes, etc.

Certification

  • Capable of obtaining forklift and boom lift certification 

Additional Requirements

  • Occasionally requires working weekends
  • Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
  • Occasionally requires non-standard work-week hours
  • 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.

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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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