Test Engineer: Experimental Hardware & Nuclear Systems

Kairos-Power; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Full benefits package including health

Paid vacation

401(k) plan

Job summary

Kairos Power is seeking a highly capable Test Engineer to support the design, development, and operation of experimental hardware and test systems for advanced reactor technology. This role emphasizes engineering analysis, rapid prototyping, and multidisciplinary integration to mature laboratory capabilities and prototype hardware.

Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and test engineers to iterate designs, improve processes, and investigate unexpected behavior.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or related field.
• 5+ years designing, building, integrating, testing, commissioning, or troubleshooting experimental hardware or electromechanical systems.
• Experience developing laboratory equipment, prototype systems, tooling, robotics, automation, or research infrastructure.
• Experience integrating mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, pneumatic, or software systems.
• CAD and mechanical design experience.
• Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, controls, LabVIEW, PLCs, Python, embedded systems, or similar tools.
• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, robotics, or advanced tech environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, fabricate, commission, and improve experimental systems and lab equipment.
• Investigate technical problems using engineering analysis and hands-on experiments.
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, instrumentation, and control components into hardware.
• Develop and optimize lab tooling, fixtures, and prototype systems for safety and throughput.
• Plan and document experiments to reduce technical uncertainty and generate knowledge.
• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, software staff, and operations to iterate designs.
• Design instrumentation, data acquisition, automation, and control solutions for testing.
• Troubleshoot multidisciplinary hardware using first-principles methods and root-cause analysis.
• Produce design packages, procedures, reports, and review materials.

Skills

Multidisciplinary engineering

Engineering problem solving

Mechanical design

Electrical integration

Data acquisition

Controls engineering

LabVIEW

Python

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics or related engineering discipline

Tools

CAD software

LabVIEW

PLCs

Instrumentation

Job description

Kairos Power is seeking a highly capable Test Engineer to support the design, development, and operation of experimental hardware and test systems for advanced reactor technology. This role emphasizes engineering analysis, rapid prototyping, and multidisciplinary integration to mature laboratory capabilities and prototype hardware.

Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and test engineers to iterate designs, improve processes, and investigate unexpected behavior.