Instrumentation and Controls Test Engineer

Kairos Power; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Kairos Power is seeking an Instrumentation and Controls Test Engineer to enhance their R&D efforts for nuclear energy technology. The chosen candidate will engage in designing, testing, and troubleshooting automation systems, ensuring collaboration across engineering disciplines to drive innovation in clean energy solutions.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Paid Vacation

401(k) plan

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant engineering experience or 5+ years with an MS degree.
• Experience managing complex problems and designing control systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and test instrumentation and control systems for R&D projects.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor colleagues on complex instrumentation.
• Perform installations and advise technicians on equipment.

Skills

Decision Making

Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering

Master of Science (MS) in Engineering

Tools

Labview

CAD (Solidworks)

Job description

Instrumentation and Controls Test Engineer

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 seeking an Instrumentation and Controls Test Engineer who will be responsible for designing, installing, programming, testing and troubleshooting automation and controls systems for R&D testing equipment in Alameda, CA. In this role, you will contribute to the development programs for the Kairos Power Fluoride Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR). The ideal candidate has cross-discipline competence, with an understanding of both mechanical design and electrical design. The successful candidate in this role will have a direct impact on the productivity of the Engineering Test team and of the broader Kairos Power organization. In addition, Kairos expects that the successful candidate will demonstrate technical leadership on complex projects and will extend their technical experience as a mentor to colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Perform design, installation and test of instrumentation and control systems and associated components (heater controllers, valve control panels, instrument/sensor acquisition, etc.) for test equipment in our Alameda, CA facility
• Specify sensors, wiring, signal conditioning, data acquisition equipment, and controllers for system equipment
• Design interconnect wiring systems to one-line drawing
• Perform and supervise installation and test of instrumentation and controls on test systems
• Advise and train technicians to wire and build control panels and troubleshoot equipment
• Provide technical leadership on complex instrumentation projects that bridge multiple engineering disciplines
• Interpret technical challenges related to Engineering Test and recommend solutions and best practices
• Solve complex problems using a broad perspective to identify solutions
• Guide others in resolving complex issues regarding data acquisition, instrumentation, and control of electromechanical systems
• Maintain a personal focus to execute on Engineering Test deliverables
• Act as a mentor for colleagues
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences or related field with 7+ years of relevant engineering experience, or Master of Science (MS) degree with 5+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Demonstrates ability to make strategic decisions
• Extensive experience in managing complex problems
• Electrical Engineering (EE) Professional Engineering license in CA preferred
• Experience in designing, fabricating and assembling custom heater controllers preferred
• Experience creating electrical schematics
• Experience with Labview data acquisition and control system software preferred
• Understanding of technical fundamentals of sensors for measuring: force, torque, displacement, fluid flow, pressure, temperature, motor position, motor speed, etc.
• Experience with motors and motor controllers
• Solid grasp of mechanical engineering fundamentals
• CAD experience preferred (Solidworks is a bonus)
• Ability to work with highly collaborative team
• Ability to problem solve quickly and efficiently
• 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
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others

Physical Conditions

• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 20 pounds in all directions
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• 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

Travel

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

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 $112,300 to $143,800 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.

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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