--- title: 'Director, Manufacturing Industrialization & Scaling at Kairos Power' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-manufacturing-industrialization-scaling-kairos-power-alameda-khbd6a4d2ee2' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-08' --- # Director, Manufacturing Industrialization & Scaling at Kairos Power - **Company:** Kairos Power - **Location:** Alameda, CA - **Posted:** 2026-08-21 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kairospower/jobs/5763523004 ## 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 The Director, Manufacturing Industrialization & Scaling leads the evolution of FHR manufacturing from today’s process development, and integrated demonstrations to full production readiness, ensuring scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This role coordinates the development of the long-term manufacturing roadmap including detailed make vs. buy/partner strategy, facility footprint and resource growth strategy, and capability scaling. Reporting to the Vice President of Manufacturing, and working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain & Procurement, Finance, and Operations, this role is accountable for developing robust manufacturing strategies, cost models, scalable production processes, and systems that enable predictable growth while strengthening manufacturing quality, safety, and delivery performance. This role leads a team that defines manufacturing industrialization strategies, manufacturing readiness, manufacturing engineering, manufacturing architecture, and cross-functional integration. ## Responsibilities - Owns the manufacturing industrialization strategy, driving the transition from R&D to scalable, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing across facilities and product lines in collaboration with other manufacturing, engineering, and cross-functional leaders. Leads development and execution of the long-range manufacturing roadmap, and staged manufacturing scaling plan, consolidating stakeholder inputs to define manufacturing readiness, required capabilities, site and facility selection, workforce model, capital roadmap, technologies, and investments to support throughput growth, quality improvement, and risk reduction. - Owns annual and multi-year CapEx/OpEx planning for manufacturing, prioritizing investments aligned to key operational drivers including capacity, quality, cost, and risk mitigation. Develop and mature cost-tracking processes, cost models, and lifecycle production economics (prototype through optimized production) to improve cost visibility, forecasting, pricing strategy, and executive decision-making, and to drive cost-engineer feedback into design engineering teams, in collaboration with manufacturing, supply-chain, finance, and human resources leadership. - Partners cross-functionally with engineering, operations, supply chain & procurement, finance, and quality innovation to define manufacturability requirements, integrate operating experience into manufacturing processes, and mature products and processes through each lifecycle phase. Improves schedule confidence by working with manufacturing integration and operations, planning, and shop leadership to understand bottlenecks in early production to inform engineering feedback and DFM processes that improve part manufacturability before higher-volume commitments. - Collaborates with manufacturing leaders to establish advanced machining, fabrication, metrology, and material-prep, and test-cell capabilities early. Pilots critical processes and production technologies to mature process control, automation integration, cost structure and equipment utilization ahead of high-rate production, reducing risk to future facility investments. - Foster a culture of operational excellence where safety, quality, and continuous improvement are foundational to scaling success. Provides leadership and direction to manufacturing staff responsible for developing and executing manufacturing growth plans, establishes performance expectations, coaches and mentors team members, and builds technical depth, adaptability, and engagement over time. - Aligns internal and external capability decisions using Make-vs-Partner framework and validated cost, quality, and schedule performance data, enabling data-driven vertical-integration and supply chain strategy tied to long-term production and scaling goals. - Drives accountability across manufacturing teams by supporting execution plans and resource strategies and leading regular reviews of performance metrics. Builds scaling maturity tracking and KPIs that bridge development-phase uncertainty with production-phase predictability and provide clear visibility into readiness, risk, and performance for executive leadership. - Build and maintain cost models for Make-vs-Partner, CapEx investment, cost-engineering, and lifecycle production economics (prototype to optimized production) to guide executive decision-making. ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technical management, or related field OR equivalent combination of education, technical certifications, and relevant experience. - 12+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing, engineering operations, or R&D infrastructure, including 5+ years in a leadership/people management role. - Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplinary technical teams in a complex, high-consequence environment. - Experience with R&D laboratories, pilot plants, or advanced manufacturing strongly preferred. - Proven ability to develop talent, build cohesive teams, and lead through change. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Deep knowledge of manufacturing engineering, industrialization practices, and process development including process characterization, qualification, validation, and readiness for scale. - Strong understanding of production system design encompassing throughput analysis, capacity modeling, factory layout, workflow optimization, and technology selection. - Demonstrated experience leading scale-up from prototype or pilot to full-rate production, including deployment of new manufacturing technologies, automation, and capital equipment. - Skilled in long-range operations planning, including development of multi-year capability roadmaps and investment strategies for capacity, quality, and risk reduction. - Ability to translate product and design requirements into robust, manufacturable processes, partnering effectively with manufacturing operations, planning and quality, as well as engineering, supply chain, and quality functions. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to use data to assess process performance, identify risks, and drive structured improvement. - Proven leadership of cross-functional teams, with the ability to influence without authority, align stakeholders, and drive decisions in ambiguous, fast-paced environments. - Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate manufacturing strategy, technology needs, risks, and trade-offs to technical and executive audiences. - Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies and digital tools, such as automation, MES, PLM, simulation, and statistical methods for process control. - Ability to build and develop high-performing technical teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. - Demonstrated commitment to fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning within a technical workforce. - Ability to work with highly collaborative team. - Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently. - Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others. - 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. Physical Conditions - Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regular visits to engineering labs, prototype areas, and active manufacturing facilities. - Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like. - Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods. - Must be able to stand, walk, and move through production areas including around equipment, tooling, and in-process materials. - Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. - Communicating with others to exchange information - Operating motor vehicles. - Use hand tools. - Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment when in manufacturing or laboratory spaces including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and other PPE as needed. - Exposure to varying temperatures, noise levels, and industrial environments during lab and manufacturing space visits or vendor audits. - Ability to travel between company sites and to supplier facilities as required for manufacturing readiness, process reviews, or equipment acceptance activities. Environmental Conditions - High temperatures. - Noisy environments. - Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions. - Evaluated heights. - 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 - Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials - Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions - Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, hearing protection, safety shoes, etc. Travel - Some travel may be required, up to 40% Certification - Relevant professional certifications such as Six Sigma, Lean, PMP, or industry-specific credentials are preferred. Additional Requirements - Occasionally requires working weekends - Often requires schedule flexibility - Often requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines The salary range for this position is $205,313 to $256,641 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. #LI-Onsite ## 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 - [Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/environmental-health-and-safety-ehs-specialist-kairos-power-albuquerque-m0sf1y9c4s8s) — Albuquerque, NM - [Software Engineer, Cyber Physical Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-cyber-physical-systems-kairos-power-alameda-ca-or-albuquerque-mr4986cfrxs5) — Alameda CA OR Albuquerque, NM - [Senior IC&E Embedded Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-ic-e-embedded-systems-engineer-kairos-power-alameda-yngja0nzg5v8) — Alameda, CA - [Nuclear Engineering Internship - Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/nuclear-engineering-internship-summer-2027-kairos-power-alameda-ca-albuquerque-2jaczvnrd69t) — Alameda CA Albuquerque NM Oak Ridge, TN - [Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Internship - Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-and-manufacturing-engineering-internship-summer-2027-kairos-power-j23regcc4qhp) — Alameda CA Albuquerque NM OR Oak Ridge, TN - [Electrical Engineering Internship - Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineering-internship-summer-2027-kairos-power-alameda-ca-gbpn0zb0094d) — Alameda CA Albuquerque NM OR Oak Ridge, TN - [Civil Engineering Internship - Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/civil-engineering-internship-summer-2027-kairos-power-alameda-ca-albuquerque-nm-bz0q4caj83n7) — Alameda CA Albuquerque NM OR Oak Ridge, TN - [Chemical and Materials Engineering Internship - Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/chemical-and-materials-engineering-internship-summer-2027-kairos-power-alameda-q5m83kgvqrqs) — Alameda CA Albuquerque NM OR Oak Ridge, TN - [Principal Engineer, Heat Transport System](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-engineer-heat-transport-system-kairos-power-alameda-t27e8fxmngks) — Alameda, CA / Albuquerque, NM / Oak Ridge, TN - [Senior Engineer, Reactor Vessel](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-reactor-vessel-kairos-power-alameda-1jwfdeyhmv97) — Alameda, CA