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Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Internship - Summer 2027

Alameda, CA, Albuquerque, NM, or Oak Ridge, TN

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 offering exciting opportunities for students to join various Mechanical Engineering teams for Summer 2027. Interns will work alongside experienced engineers on meaningful technical projects that contribute to the development of innovative technologies supporting Kairos Power's mission to deliver advanced nuclear energy solutions that address climate change.

Areas with potential internship opportunities:

  • Engineering Test 
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Design 
  • Reliability Engineering
  • Systems Integration Engineering
  • Quality Engineering

General Responsibilities

  • Assist in the design, analysis, testing, and optimization of mechanical systems, components, and manufacturing processes.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, technicians, and project managers, to support engineering projects and program objectives.
  • Conduct experiments, collect data, and perform engineering analyses to validate designs and inform technical decisions.
  • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), engineering documentation, technical reports, and design drawings.
  • Contribute to the development, improvement, and optimization of manufacturing processes, equipment, and production methods.
  • Participate in troubleshooting and root cause investigations to resolve engineering and manufacturing challenges.
  • Support fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and testing of prototypes to validate engineering designs and manufacturing processes.
  • Participate in engineering design reviews and multidisciplinary technical discussions, contributing ideas to improve product performance, manufacturability, reliability, and safety.
  • Assist with inspections, quality checks, testing, and documentation to ensure compliance with engineering standards and quality requirements.
  • Support reliability engineering activities by evaluating failure modes and recommending opportunities to improve system performance and product reliability.
  • Engage in training, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities to expand technical knowledge and professional skills.
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations, engineering standards, and company policies throughout all engineering activities.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations summarizing project objectives, technical work, and results to peers, mentors, and engineering leadership.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Current student enrolled in and pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • Demonstrated application of technical skills outside of the classroom through laboratory work, research, extracurricular projects, personal projects, or prior internship/work experience is highly preferred.
  • Familiarity with prototyping, fabrication, manufacturing, or engineering testing equipment.
  • Exposure to engineering drawings, engineering standards, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
  • Basic proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD and engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS, MATLAB, or similar software.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes, quality control principles, and engineering testing methodologies.
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to apply critical thinking to engineering challenges.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
  • Self-starter, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Proven team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work with highly collaborative team
  • Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
  • Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself 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

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Working knowledge of mechanical engineering principles acquired through academic coursework, laboratory experience, research projects, or prior internship experience.
  • Understanding of engineering fundamentals including mechanics, materials, manufacturing processes, machine design, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, or related engineering disciplines.
  • Ability to apply analytical thinking and engineering fundamentals to solve technical problems with guidance from experienced engineers.
  • Familiarity with engineering drawings, technical specifications, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and engineering documentation practices.
  • Working knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD), engineering analysis, and simulation software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, ANSYS, MATLAB, or similar engineering tools.
  • Basic understanding of manufacturing processes, prototype fabrication, engineering testing, quality assurance, and reliability engineering principles.
  • Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret engineering and experimental data to support technical decision-making.
  • Ability to develop clear, accurate, and organized engineering documentation, technical reports, and presentations.
  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to produce accurate, organized, and high-quality engineering work.
  • Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn new engineering concepts, software tools, laboratory techniques, manufacturing technologies, and engineering best practices.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet project deadlines.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced engineering and research environment.
  • Commitment to safety, integrity, continuous learning, and professional development.
  • Ability to proactively document, organize, and share technical knowledge with teammates and mentors.

Physical Conditions

  • Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and etc. 
  • Setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding, ladders)
  • 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 up to 20 pounds in all directions
  • Communicating with others to exchange information
  • Use hand tools
  • Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams 

Environmental Conditions

  • General office environment
  • 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

The hourly range for this position is $30-$32 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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