Job Summary

Kairos Power seeks a dedicated Licensing Engineer with a strong background in civil or structural engineering, ideally with seismic, hydrological, and/or geotechnical engineering experience. This role will provide day-to-day support in the development of the Kairos Power Hermes test reactor facility Operating License Application (OLA). While prior nuclear licensing experience is not required, candidates with civil/structural design experience along with seismic, hydrological, or geotechnical engineering experience and a willingness to learn will be given priority, as we are committed to providing comprehensive training in licensing and regulatory processes.

As a Licensing Engineer, you will work closely with engineering design, safety analysis, and technology development teams to ensure that regulatory requirements are identified and implemented in alignment with Kairos Power’s licensing strategies. You will contribute to the preparation of regulatory submittals, reports, and materials for pre-application interactions with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC).

Responsibilities 

• Develops licensing document content, programs, and supporting licensing related products and activities specifically geared toward the reactor facility construction and engineering, with a focus on civil/structural, geotechnical, hydrological, and seismic aspects.
• Supports planning, development, and defense of Kairos license applications.
• Supports pre-application meeting interactions with the USNRC.
• Prepares licensing strategies supporting license application development and execution.
• Leads resolution of key strategic licensing issues (e.g., development of regulatory programs such as civil/structural inspection and testing programs, seismic/structural analysis, et al.).
• Coordinates with and supports development of safety analysis documentation.
• Coordinates with and supports development of testing programs to meet regulatory requirements.
• Supports NRC construction inspection program.
• Supports Project Management and Engineering teams to develop execution plans. (schedules, milestones, cost models, decision criteria, etc.) that meet Kairos Power’s objectives.
• Identification and roll down of top-level regulatory requirements into design requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• BS or MS degree in Nuclear, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in facility engineering design and construction, with seismic, geotechnical, or hydrological engineering experience highly preferred. Nuclear licensing experience is not required—we are willing to provide training.
• Strong knowledge of civil/structural and seismic system design, including analysis, design, and implementation of engineering solutions.
• Eager to learn and develop skills in nuclear licensing, with a proactive and growth-oriented mindset.
• Familiarity or experience in development of Preliminary and Final Safety Analysis Reports (PSARs and FSARs) and Operating License Applications (OLAs), particularly for design of structures, systems, and components, and other licensing considerations preferred.
• Experience in system design, with thorough understanding of evaluation, design, and implementation of new technologies.
• Demonstrated coordination skills including advisory, relationship, and stakeholder management skills fit to handle a small / start-up environment; demonstrated ability to earn the trust of team members and management.
• Entrepreneurial, flexible, open to new ideas, collaborative in nature with full buy-in to the Kairos Power mission.
• Proven team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills; must be able to interact and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• A natural bias for independent action, comfortable delivering on commitments and holding him/herself and team accountable; a respectful individual that embraces challenges with an unwavering focus on driving results and meeting milestones.
• 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.

Physical Conditions 

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, raps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like.
• Setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding, ladders).
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces.
• 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 up to 40 pounds, in all directions.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment.
• Outdoor environment or elements such as precipitation and wind.
• Noisy Environments.
• Accessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• High concentration, demanding and fast paced.

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs.
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions.
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shield, gloves, and safety shoes.

Travel 

• Travel for business needs is required (25 - 35%). 

Additional Requirements

• Requires occasional schedule flexibility.
• Requires occasional extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines. 

The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $130,000 for employees working onsite at our Alameda, CA headquarters. The range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired in California.  Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and a comparison to other employees already in the role.

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