Senior Plant Reliability Engineer

Job Summary

Kairos Power is seeking a Senior Plant Reliability Engineer to independently lead integrated reliability assessments and investigations supporting the design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and operation of nuclear and non-nuclear hardware demonstration projects. In this role, you will contribute to the development and commercialization of Kairos Power reactors. 

Responsibilities

• Independently lead integrated reliability assessments, hazard evaluations and technical investigations, partnering with cross-functional teams to integrate reliability considerations into hardware design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and operation. Update applicable assessments as needed based on changes to system design, configuration or operating conditions.
• Evaluate whether results of risk analyses meet acceptance criteria and characterize any remaining risk.
• Communicate technical conclusions, uncertainties and residual risks clearly to technical teams and leadership.
• Capture, evaluate and communicate operating experience and equipment performance data to inform component and system reliability, plant availability and improvements to current and future projects.  
• Mentor Reliability engineers in the application of reliability and risk analysis methods. 
• Improve Reliability program methods, guidance and work processes based on project needs and lessons learned.
• Provide Reliability support for selected major hardware demonstration projects during commissioning and operations, including shift coverage as needed.
• Collaborate with teams across Kairos Power sites, including travel as needed to support project activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include hands-on work involving hardware fabrication, assembly, testing, commissioning, and operation.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Nuclear Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Systems Engineering, or another relevant technical discipline.
• At least 10 years of engineering experience supporting the reliability and performance of plant systems and components, including experience performing integrated reliability and risk analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical assessments or investigations and develop documented conclusions in a fast-paced environment with incomplete or evolving information. 
• Experience applying qualitative and quantitative analysis methods such as FMEA, HAZOP, what-if analysis, fault tree analysis, event tree analysis, dependency analysis, or equivalent methods.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical work and build alignment across disciplines and organizational levels. 
• Experience providing technical review and mentoring other engineers. 
• Preferred experience analyzing operating, failure, maintenance, and outage data to evaluate component and system reliability, equipment unavailability and plant availability.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Ability to assess how component failures, system dependencies and operating conditions affect plant reliability and availability. 
• Ability to select and apply reliability and risk analysis methods appropriate to the question, decisions being supported and maturity of the hardware. 
• Ability to identify, document and communicate assumptions, data limitations and uncertainties in technical assessments. 
• Ability to interpret equipment performance and operating experience and identify reliability implications that inform engineering decisions 
• Ability to communicate technical findings and residual risks clearly to multidisciplinary teams and leadership. 

Physical Conditions

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts, and similar equipment.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Using hand tools.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment.
• Prototyping, testing, industrial, manufacturing, and construction environments in alignment with projects and assignments.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of assigned work.

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs.
• Reporting equipment issues or unsafe conditions.
• Wearing required PPE, including face masks, face shields, gloves, safety shoes, and other protective equipment as applicable.

Travel

• Approximately 25% travel may be required to support work across Kairos Power sites and other project locations. Travel may be concentrated during major project activities. 

Additional Requirements

• Requires schedule flexibility to support selected major hardware demonstration projects, including shift coverage and extended hours as needed.

• Onsite: #LI-Onsite