Distinguished Engineer, Reactor Systems

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Provide technical leadership to define the long-term technical vision, system architecture, and engineering strategy for Reactor Systems in alignment with Kairos Power’s commercialization roadmap, established by the Head of Reactor Systems.

• Act as the foremost technical authority for reactor systems design philosophy, integration strategy, and technical decision-making.

• Foster enterprise-wide technical coherence across reactor systems design, integration, analysis, testing, qualification, and deployment activities.

• Oversee the development and management of reactor system architecture, system requirements, design bases, interface definitions, verification plans, and relevant technical documentation.

• Lead the resolution of intricate cross-disciplinary technical challenges involving reactor vessel systems, reactor internals, auxiliary systems, nuclear design, design margins, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, instrumentation & control, manufacturing, testing, licensing, and operations.

• Create engineering standards, technical methodologies, design principles, and best practices that enhance engineering quality and organizational efficiency.

• Influence corporate technology strategy through collaboration with executive leadership and engineering management teams.

• Identify emerging technical risks and opportunities impacting reactor technology development and commercialization.

• Effectively communicate complex technical issues and guide key design trades, technical decisions, requirements allocation, system interfaces, and design margins that influence reactor system performance and safety.

• Lead or assist in major design integration reviews to ensure the compatibility, accessibility for installation and maintenance, and alignment with safety, construction, and lifecycle requirements of structures, systems, and components.

• Prepare and evaluate reactor systems design documentation and supporting engineering analyses, including design descriptions, drawings, test plans, reports, specifications, calculations, design decision records, thermal/structural/system analyses, FMEAs, hazard analyses, and design margin assessments.

• Stay informed of and evaluate compliance with applicable codes and standards such as ASME, ANSI, ASTM, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and other relevant industry standards.

• Assist in assessing cost, schedule, and risks related to reactor system design, testing, fabrication, integration, and deployment activities.

• Mentor engineers within Reactor Systems and adjacent technical teams, including providing guidance on design rigor, engineering judgment, documentation quality, and cross-functional integration.

• Represent Reactor Systems in significant technical discussions, design reviews, readiness reviews, audits, and executive-level technical briefings.

• Foster a strong engineering culture that emphasizes safety, technical excellence, accountability, clarity, and efficient execution.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related technical field is mandatory.

• A minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible technical leadership experience in nuclear reactor design, reactor systems engineering, advanced technology development, complex mechanical systems, high-temperature systems, or similarly regulated engineering environments is required.

• Proven experience in leading significant technical scopes across complex engineering programs, ideally involving nuclear, energy, chemical, oil and gas, or power generation systems is essential.

• A recognized technical authority with notable contributions to the advancement of advanced reactor technology, complex engineered systems, or related engineering fields through technical leadership, publications, patents, standards development, invited presentations, or equivalent achievements is preferred.

• Experience within formal configuration management, design control, or product lifecycle management systems under a recognized quality program such as ASME NQA-1, ISO 9001, or equivalent is preferred.

• Familiarity with applicable codes and standards such as ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Division 1 and 2, Section III Division 5, ANSI, ASTM, ASME Y14.5, or related standards is desired.

• Experience in participating in or leading formal technical reviews, readiness reviews, design reviews, or safety-related engineering reviews is advantageous.

• Proficient in communicating complex technical issues to executive, regulatory, quality, manufacturing, operations, or cross-functional stakeholders.

🏝️ Benefits

• 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)