Mechanical Engineer - HVAC and Plumbing Systems

Kairos Power; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation packages

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Paid Vacation

401(k) and pre-tax health insurance

Job summary

Kairos Power is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and develop HVAC and plumbing systems for our facilities, ensuring efficient operation and code compliance. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams including Facilities Maintenance, architects, and project managers to support construction, installation, and commissioning.

Responsibilities include load calculations, documentation, and optimization of building systems with energy-efficient design practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in mechanical design or facilities engineering, focusing on building systems.
• PE license preferred or in process.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of HVAC and plumbing systems for new construction and renovations.
• Prepare detailed schematics, drawings, specs, and reports using CAD and BIM tools.
• Perform cooling/heating load calculations and airflow/ductwork analyses with appropriate software.
• Collaborate with Facilities Maintenance, architects, structural/electrical engineers, contractors, and project managers.
• Ensure compliance with ASHRAE, NFPA, and local codes; support construction, installation, and commissioning.

Skills

CAD software

BIM software

HVAC load calculations

Energy modeling

Building codes

Psychrometrics

Equipment selection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree a plus

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

WebCTRL

Carrier HAP

TRANE Trace

Job description

Mechanical Engineer - HVAC and Plumbing Systems

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 a highly motivated and experienced Mechanical Engineer to design and develop HVAC and plumbing systems, oversee their installation, and provide engineering support for their maintenance within our commercial and institutional facilities. This role will collaborate with Facilities Maintenance and multidisciplinary project teams to support reliable, efficient building operations and ensure mechanical systems meet applicable codes, standards, and project sustainability goals.

Responsibilities

• Design and Development: Lead the design and development of mechanical systems for new construction and renovation projects, including HVAC and plumbing.
• Technical Documentation: Prepare detailed schematics, technical drawings, specifications, and reports using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
• Calculations and Analysis: Perform complex engineering calculations, such as preliminary cooling and heating load calculations, review load calculation results for consistency with project requirements, airflow and ductwork calculations, psychometric analysis, etc., using relevant engineering analysis software.
• Collaboration: Work closely with our Facilities Maintenance Department and other cross-functional teams, including architects, structural and electrical engineers, contractors, and project managers, to ensure integrated and seamless system designs.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure all mechanical designs and installations comply with local, state, and federal building codes and standards (e.g., ASHRAE, NFPA).
• Project Management Support: Provide technical support during the construction, installation, and commissioning phases, including reviewing shop drawings, conducting site inspections, and resolving field issues.
• Troubleshooting and Optimization: Investigate equipment failures or operational difficulties in existing systems, diagnose faulty operations, and recommend effective remedies and efficiency improvements.
• Equipment Selection: Evaluate and select appropriate materials and equipment, coordinating with suppliers and vendors for procurement.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Integrate energy-efficient and sustainable design practices, such as LEED certification requirements, into building systems.
• Design Criteria: Develop and document HVAC and plumbing design criteria based on facility use, occupancy, operating requirements, and available utility capacity.
• Maintainability Reviews: Evaluate equipment access, service clearances, and provisions for maintenance and replacement during design reviews.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; Master's degree is a plus
• Minimum of (7) years of relevant experience in mechanical design or facilities engineering, with a focus on building systems
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred
• Experience with BMS’s such as WebCTRL, Carrier HAP, or TRANE Trace is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency with CAD software (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.) and BIM software.
• Proficiency with HVAC load calculation and energy modeling software
• Strong understanding of building mechanical systems, including HVAC and plumbing.
• Ability to use energy modeling and engineering analysis tools.
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and building codes.
• Knowledge of psychrometrics, ventilation, indoor air quality, and temperature and humidity control principles.
• Knowledge of domestic water, sanitary drainage, and vent system design principles, including backflow prevention.
• Ability to evaluate equipment and system alternatives based on capacity, reliability, maintainability, energy use, and life-cycle cost.

Physical Demands

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 25 lbs
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• Low temperatures
• High temperatures
• Outdoor environment or elements such as precipitation and wind
• Small and/or enclosed spaces
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions
• Elevated heights
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced
• Laboratory environment (chemical)
• Laboratory environment (nuclear/radiological)
• Prototyping/Test Facilities
• Manufacturing/Industrial Environments
• Radiological/Controlled Environments

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
• Color identification: detecting, distinguishing, recognizing and identifying colors
• Wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), to include hard hat, safety vest, eye protection, safety shoes, and other PPE as required

Travel

• Some travel may be required (5%)

Certification/Licensure

• Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires working weekends
• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

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