Test Engineer – Nuclear Lab & Prototyping

Kairos Power; Alameda, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Kairos Power is seeking a highly capable Test Engineer to support the design, development, and operation of experimental hardware, laboratory infrastructure, and first-of-a-kind test systems supporting advanced reactor technology.

This role emphasizes solving technical problems through engineering analysis, hands-on experimentation, rapid prototyping, and multidisciplinary system integration, with close collaboration across mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing and test engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or related engineering discipline or equivalent demonstrated experience developing complex multidisciplinary engineering systems.
• 5+ years of experience designing, building, integrating, testing, commissioning, or troubleshooting experimental hardware or electromechanical systems.
• Experience developing laboratory equipment, prototype systems, manufacturing tooling, robotics, automation systems, or research infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience integrating mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, pneumatic, or software systems.
• Experience with CAD and mechanical design.
• Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, controls, LabVIEW, PLCs, Python, embedded systems, or similar engineering tools is desirable.
• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, robotics, scientific instrumentation, semiconductor, or other advanced technology environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, fabricate, commission, and continuously improve experimental systems, prototype hardware, and laboratory equipment supporting advanced reactor technology development.
• Investigate technical problems by combining engineering analysis with hands-on experimentation to identify root causes and develop practical solutions.
• Design and integrate mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, instrumentation, and control system components into functioning experimental hardware.
• Develop, modify, and optimize laboratory equipment, manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and prototype systems to improve capability, reliability, safety, and throughput.
• Plan, execute, and document engineering experiments that reduce technical uncertainty and generate actionable engineering knowledge.
• Collaborate closely with design engineers, analysts, technicians, software engineers, and operations personnel to rapidly iterate hardware designs.
• Design and implement instrumentation, data acquisition, automation, and control solutions supporting laboratory testing.
• Troubleshoot multidisciplinary hardware systems using first-principles engineering methods, empirical testing, and systematic root cause analysis.
• Produce engineering documentation including design packages, test procedures, operating procedures, technical reports, and design review materials.
• Support commissioning, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory infrastructure and experimental facilities.
• Provide technical guidance to less-experienced engineers and technicians and may coordinate or direct technical tasks within assigned areas of work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Problem solving

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Analytical thinking

Technical communication

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or related engineering discipline

Tools

CAD

LabVIEW

PLCs

Python

Embedded systems

Job description

Kairos Power is seeking a highly capable Test Engineer to support the design, development, and operation of experimental hardware, laboratory infrastructure, and first-of-a-kind test systems supporting advanced reactor technology.

This role emphasizes solving technical problems through engineering analysis, hands-on experimentation, rapid prototyping, and multidisciplinary system integration, with close collaboration across mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing and test engineers.