--- title: 'Applications Integration Engineer at Kairos Power' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/applications-integration-engineer-kairos-power-oak-ridge-dvq7qmd0hwe8' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-20' --- # Applications Integration Engineer at Kairos Power - **Company:** Kairos Power - **Location:** Oak Ridge, TN - **Posted:** 2026-10-14 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-20 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kairospower/jobs/6206174004 ## Job description Company Overview Kairos Power is a new nuclear energy technology and engineering company whose mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy, with the ultimate goal to dramatically improve people’s quality of life while protecting the environment. This goal will be accomplished through the commercialization of the fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR) that can be deployed with robust safety, affordable costs, and flexible operation to accommodate the expansion of variable renewables. Job Summary Kairos Power is seeking an Applications Integration Engineer embedded directly within the Operations Team in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This role combines operational problem solving with deeper software and AI development capability. The engineer will work alongside Build Engineers, Operations Engineers, technicians, and leaders to create higher-complexity AI-enabled workflows and bespoke tools using secure capabilities provided by Kairos’s internal Development Team. The mission is not generic software development; it is to solve real problems in reactor build, integration, Test and Activation, fueling, and operations while respecting established engineering, Quality, Licensing, and operational approval authorities. ## Responsibilities - Troubleshoot integration failures, application defects, and data-flow issues across connected systems, and implement appropriate corrective actions. - Validate application behavior and outputs against defined operational requirements, source data, and acceptance criteria before deployment or release. - Monitor deployed applications and integrations for reliability, performance, and data-quality issues and support timely remediation. - Identify high-value operational problems through direct engagement with field teams and translate them into practical AI-enabled solutions. - Build applications and workflows for work-instruction augmentation, lessons-learned capture, RFI support, configuration monitoring, engineering-change impact analysis, operational dashboards, and related use cases. - Develop RAG pipelines and application logic that combine controlled enterprise knowledge with operational workflows. - Integrate applications with approved APIs, MCP servers, model gateways, MES, PLM, ERP, issue-tracking systems, schedules, and other enterprise capabilities. - Develop structured outputs suitable for controlled downstream systems while preserving human review and approval. - Prototype rapidly with operational users, observe real use, and iterate based on field feedback. - Implement testing, evaluation, error handling, source traceability, observability, and appropriate human-in-the-loop controls. - Work with the Enterprise AI, Infosec, and IT teams on reusable integrations and deployment and maintenance of operational tools. - Help Build Engineers and Operations Engineers develop their own lightweight tools and raise the AI fluency of the broader Operations organization. - Maintain strong understanding of build execution and remain physically connected to the work. - Other duties as assigned. ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Engineering, or another technical discipline with strong demonstrated software capability, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. - Typically 2+ years of software, data, automation, AI/ML, or technically sophisticated engineering experience; exceptional new graduates with substantial project portfolios may be considered. - Strong Python proficiency and working knowledge of APIs, JSON, SQL, Git, testing, and modern software development. - Hands-on experience building and deploying LLM applications, RAG systems, agents/tool-use workflows, or AI-enabled automation. - Hands-on experience integrating applications with APIs, databases, or other software systems and troubleshooting application, data, or integration issues. - Familiarity with one or more LLM orchestration or retrieval frameworks, vector databases, structured-output/schema tools, AI evaluation or tracing tools, and cloud or containerized deployment environments is preferred. - Familiarity with MCP client/server concepts or comparable approaches for integrating AI applications with tools and enterprise systems is preferred. - Familiarity with cloud services and containerized application deployment in AWS, Azure, GCP, or comparable environments is preferred. - Familiarity with operational enterprise systems and engineering data such as MES, PLM, ERP, issue-tracking/work-management systems, Git repositories, CAD/BOM data, or comparable systems and data sources is preferred. - Experience in industrial operations, manufacturing, aerospace, energy, construction, robotics, hardware integration, or other physical operations is strongly preferred. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Ability to trace and troubleshoot issues across application, API, data, and enterprise-system boundaries. - Ability to validate, transform, and reconcile data exchanged among applications and enterprise systems. - Ability to translate operational requirements into testable application behaviors and acceptance criteria. - Ability to work with ambiguous operational requirements and turn them into usable prototypes quickly. - Ability to communicate with engineers and technicians and learn unfamiliar technical domains rapidly. - Ability to design and iterate solutions around operational user needs, adoption, and practical utility. - Strong debugging, decomposition, and rapid-prototyping skills. - Ability to distinguish a platform problem from an application problem. - Comfort with incomplete data and imperfect enterprise interfaces. - Strong security and configuration-control judgment. - Strong Python proficiency and working knowledge of APIs, JSON, SQL, Git, testing, and modern software development. - Ability to teach and enable non-software engineers rather than becoming a bottleneck. - Excellent technical communication and documentation. Physical Demands - Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods - Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another - Communicating with others to exchange information Environmental Conditions - General office environment - High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced - Prototyping/Testing environment - Manufacturing/Industrial Environment Safety and PPE - Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs - Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions - Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety footwear, or other PPE as required Travel - Some travel between Kairos sites and partner facilities may be required. Certification Additional Requirements - Occasionally requires working weekends - Occasionally requires schedule flexibility - Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines ## About our Benefits We know that we have some of the most talented and dedicated employees, and we believe in rewarding them accordingly. If you work here, full-time employees (excludes interns) expect to have access to the benefits below: - 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) Kairos Power is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we do business. Kairos Power is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively welcome people of different experiences, abilities, and perspectives. Kairos Power participates in E-Verify. Candidates only, no recruiters or agencies please. Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. To work in this facility, you need to be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries that are not on the Department of Energy’s general authorization list (link below) are not permitted to work in our facility unless the Department of Energy issues an export control license to the company to permit that individual to have access to Part 810-controlled information. The following questions are intended to determine the licensing requirements that may apply. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/10/appendix-A_to_part_810 ## About Kairos Power ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Kairos Power is developing fluoride salt–cooled high‑temperature reactors (KP‑FHR) to deliver safe, affordable, and reliable clean energy at commercial scale. - **Entity Type**: Private (Venture‑backed startup) - **Headquarters**: Alameda, California, USA - **Founded**: 2016 - **Founders**: Mike Laufer (CEO, Co‑Founder) and Edward Blandford (CTO, Co‑Founder) [kairospower.com/about](https://www.kairospower.com/about) ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Advanced nuclear energy, clean‑energy technology, vertical manufacturing. - **Target customers**: B2B – utilities (e.g., TVA), large‑scale energy buyers (e.g., Google), power generators, grid operators. - **Mission / purpose**: “To deliver reliable, affordable energy at scale” while combating climate change by reimagining the entire energy system. [kairospower.com](https://www.kairospower.com/) ## Products & Services - **KP‑FHR (fluoride salt–cooled high‑temperature reactor)**: The core technology – a next‑generation nuclear reactor that uses molten‑salt coolant and TRISO‑based pebble fuel. It is designed for competitive baseload power without carbon emissions. - **Hermes Demonstration Reactors**: - **Hermes 1**: The first non‑water‑cooled reactor to receive an NRC construction permit. Now under construction in Oak Ridge, TN. - **Hermes 2**: A commercial‑scale demonstration plant that will supply electricity to the grid. - **In‑house manufacturing**: Kairos Power builds reactor components, fuel, molten salt, and plant equipment internally to control quality, cost, and schedule. Facilities in Albuquerque, NM produce modular systems and perform salt production, TRISO fuel and pebble fabrication. - **Engineering Test Units (ETU)**: Iterative non‑nuclear test rigs (ETU 2, ETU 3) used to validate systems, reduce risk, and fine‑tune technology before nuclear operation. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly available in provided sources. - **Key metric**: **Headcount >500** (as of 2025/2026); **Total funding** – not disclosed in provided sources. - **Notable investors & partners**: Google (world’s first corporate agreement for multiple advanced reactor deployments – up to 500 MW by 2035), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), KP‑OMADA alliance (North American nuclear utilities and generating companies). [kairospower.com/our-approach](https://www.kairospower.com/our-approach) - **Growth signals**: - First nuclear company ever named a **BloombergNEF Pioneer**. - Recognized **six times as a Forbes Best Startup Employer**. - Hermes 1 construction permit granted – a regulatory milestone. - Expansion of manufacturing capabilities in Albuquerque and reactor campus in Oak Ridge. - Active partnerships with leading U.S. utilities and tech companies. ## Competitive Advantages - **Vertical integration**: Unifies engineering, manufacturing, testing, and licensing in‑house – reduces supply‑chain risk and accelerates deployment. - **Iterative development model (“test‑to‑learn”)**: Build, test, iterate with thousands of hours of operational data; progressively de‑risks nuclear construction, fuel supply, and operations. - **Proactive regulatory engagement**: First non‑water‑cooled reactor to secure an NRC construction permit, de‑risking the licensing path for future units. - **Strong commercial partnerships**: Google and major utilities provide both credibility and a clear off‑take pathway for commercial fleets. - **Technology differentiator**: Fluoride salt cooling enables lower pressure, inherent safety, and efficient heat transfer, making the reactor cost‑competitive with natural gas. ## Strategic Focus - **Commercial deployment**: Targeting grid‑connected operation of Hermes 2 and a fleet of up to 500 MW by 2035 (via Google agreement). - **Scaling manufacturing**: Expanding the Albuquerque Manufacturing Development Campus to produce reactor components at volume. - **Supply chain & fuel qualification**: In‑house fuel fabrication (TRISO pebbles) and salt production to ensure cost and schedule certainty. - **Alliance building**: Growing the KP‑OMADA alliance to standardize technology deployment across multiple utilities. ## Why Work Here - **Culture & recognition**: Six‑time Forbes Best Startup Employer. Employee‑led committees (Women of Kairos Power, Environmental Stewards, Culture Committee, Developing Professionals) shape a collaborative, inclusive environment. “One Kairos” program champions belonging. - **Benefits**: - 3 weeks paid vacation + 5 sick days + >20 paid holidays/year. - 100% employer‑paid medical premiums and deductibles for employee and dependents; premium dental and vision. - 401(k) with employer match, pre‑tax FSA (health & dependent care), commuter benefits. - Career development: mentorship programs, hands‑on training, career paths tailored to personal goals. - **Work model**: Multiple facilities (Alameda HQ, Oak Ridge, Albuquerque) – roles are likely on‑site or hybrid depending on function; no explicit remote‑only policy disclosed. - **Mission‑driven environment**: Direct impact on climate change; work on complex engineering challenges in nuclear energy. - **Values**: Mission‑driven, responsible, people‑centered, pioneering, collaborative, action‑oriented, direct & honest. [kairospower.com/careers](https://www.kairospower.com/careers) ## Sources 1. [kairospower.com](https://www.kairospower.com/) – Company homepage, locations, technology overview 2. [kairospower.com/about](https://www.kairospower.com/about) – Founders, leadership, history, locations 3. [kairospower.com/our-approach](https://www.kairospower.com/our-approach) – Vertical integration, iterative development, partnerships 4. [kairospower.com/careers](https://www.kairospower.com/careers) – Culture, benefits, values, employee resource groups, headcount 5. [linkedin.com/company/kairospower](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kairospower) – Company LinkedIn page (used for verification) ## Other roles at Kairos Power - [Senior Quality Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-quality-engineer-kairos-power-albuquerque-3r53pcnjttpn) — Albuquerque, NM - [Senior Plant Reliability Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-plant-reliability-engineer-kairos-power-albuquerque-8phd56dyf0qn) — Albuquerque, NM - [Facilities Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/facilities-engineer-ii-kairos-power-albuquerque-v75bgee8qzms) — Albuquerque, NM - [Operations Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-engineer-kairos-power-oak-ridge-6vzk33m02hht) — Oak Ridge, TN - [Senior Engineer, Platform Security and Reliability](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-platform-security-and-reliability-kairos-power-or-alameda-r37agnxsz775) — OR Alameda, CA - [Senior Engineer, Scientific Software and Developer Platform, Modeling and Simulation](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-scientific-software-and-developer-platform-modeling-and-wvaj9wqgp13t) — OR Alameda, CA - [Fuels IC&E Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/fuels-ic-e-engineer-kairos-power-albuquerque-7xs816gawss8) — Albuquerque, NM - [Mechanical Engineer, Fuel Handling Equipment](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-fuel-handling-equipment-kairos-power-albuquerque-3vgmzw5d6928) — Albuquerque, NM - [Skillbridge Program: Electrical Technologist](https://feeny.ai/job/skillbridge-program-electrical-technologist-kairos-power-albuquerque-1pxjw7fjg51w) — Albuquerque, NM - [Skillbridge Program: Mechanical Technologist](https://feeny.ai/job/skillbridge-program-mechanical-technologist-kairos-power-albuquerque-we7rwr7d1nr5) — Albuquerque, NM