Principal Engineer

Summary

Join Kairos Power, a nuclear energy technology company, as a Principal Engineer, Structural Integrity of Metallic Systems, Structures & Components (SSCs). Reporting to the Manager, Structural Integrity & Materials Modeling, you will lead the development and deployment of novel analysis methods and numerical models for the design, licensing, and operation of Kairos Power fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactors (KP-FHRs). You will support Materials and Engineering Design teams with qualification testing, design-for-construction, and fitness-for-service programs. This role requires extensive experience in FEA, knowledge of inelastic deformation and failure mechanisms, and familiarity with relevant codes and standards. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Requirements

• MS or PhD degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, or Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field
• 15+ years of experience with FEA
• Knowledge of inelastic deformation and failure mechanisms of ductile structural components operating at high temperature
• Knowledge of Fracture Mechanics
• Working experience with scientific & scripting programming languages (e.g., C++, Fortran, Python and Matlab)
• Working experience with model calibration and optimization techniques as well uncertainty quantification
• Ability to function in a fast-paced company environment with minimal direction and adjust workload based upon changing priorities
• Proven team player with excellent interpersonal, written, presentation, and verbal communication skills
• 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

Responsibilities

• Lead the extension and application of structural integrity assessment methods and procedures to future commercial FHR units
• Conduct and review defect tolerance (DTA) and fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments of KP-FHR SSCs
• Support the company’s design-for-construction and materials qualification efforts by performing and reviewing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of metallic SSCs
• Lead the development, verification and validation of deformation and damage models of high carbon stainless steels
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various engineering teams on efforts such as uncertainty quantification (UQ), software Quality Assurance (SQA), software and hardware acquisition, and support of management and work program leadership in meeting company’s licensing milestones and deliverables
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• APDL & Usermat (Ansys) or UMAT (Abaqus) experience
• Knowledge of inelastic deformation and failure mechanisms of ductile structural components operating at high temperature and under irradiation
• Experience in application and knowledge of Construction and Fitness-for-Service codes (e.g., ASME III & XI, API 579, UK R5/R6, BS-7910, RCC-MRx)

Benefits

• 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)