---
title: 'Firmware Development Engineer at Kairos Power'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/firmware-development-engineer-kairos-power-alameda-j529qj1p1ayp'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-03'
---

# Firmware Development Engineer at Kairos Power

- **Company:** Kairos Power
- **Location:** Alameda, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-03
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kairospower/jobs/6193295004

## 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 looking for an entry-level firmware engineer to join the Plant Instrumentation, Control & Electrical (IC&E) systems design team. Working under the technical guidance of the Reactor Protection System (RPS) Lead Engineer and experienced team members, this person will develop, test, and document firmware for reactor protection and related plant systems supporting the KP-FHR reactor technology. The role provides hands-on experience with embedded systems, hardware integration, and disciplined development practices for safety-related applications.

Primary Responsibilities

The person will work with an integrated design team to perform the following duties:

- Support firmware development for plant instrumentation and control systems, including:
- Safety-related reactor protection systems, including signal acquisition, protection logic, diagnostics, and equipment interfaces.
- Related plant investment protection and non-safety control or test systems, as required.
- Implement and debug embedded firmware in C/C++ and support FPGA logic development, as applicable to the selected platform, using approved requirements, designs, and coding practices.
- Assist with firmware requirements, interface definitions, design descriptions, and traceability between requirements, implementation, and verification evidence.
- Develop and execute unit, integration, and regression tests; record results, investigate anomalies, and support independent verification and validation activities.
- Support laboratory hardware bring-up and firmware integration using schematics, component datasheets, debuggers, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers under appropriate supervision.
- Use version control, configuration management, code reviews, and change control to maintain reproducible builds and documented firmware releases.
- Collaborate with hardware, controls, systems, and test engineers to resolve interface issues and support system testing and commissioning activities as assigned.
- Learn and follow applicable nuclear quality assurance, software lifecycle, and cybersecurity procedures; promptly raise technical concerns and incorporate review feedback.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Entry-level position suitable for recent graduates or candidates with 0–2 years of relevant experience. Coursework, laboratory work, capstone projects, internships, and personal projects are acceptable; prior nuclear industry experience is not required.
- Foundational programming skills in C or C++, with experience developing and debugging software for a microcontroller, embedded processor, or comparable project platform.
- Understanding of digital logic and basic embedded concepts such as memory, interrupts, timers, state machines, and real-time behavior.
- Ability to read technical documentation and basic schematics, troubleshoot methodically, and document designs, test results, and issues clearly.
- Familiarity with version control, such as Git, and basic software testing practices; willingness to work within a documented engineering development process.
- Strong attention to detail, clear communication, and an ability to work collaboratively, ask questions, and learn from technical reviews.
- Preferred exposure through coursework or projects to VHDL/Verilog and FPGA tools, Python test automation, laboratory instruments, or interfaces such as SPI, I2C, and UART.
- Interest in nuclear energy and safety-critical engineering. Familiarity with requirements traceability, verification and validation, or quality assurance is a plus.

The salary range for this position is $92,454 to $108,769 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 maybe used to determine your actual salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, ability and the market data for your work location, and a comparison to other employees already in the role.

#LI-Hybrid

## 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 Manager, Engineering Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-engineering-operations-kairos-power-albuquerque-nm-and-oak-ridge-99hv5a4n8hze) — Albuquerque NM and Oak Ridge, TN
- [Principal Mechanical Engineer, Fuel Handling Equipment](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-mechanical-engineer-fuel-handling-equipment-kairos-power-oakridge-k8m9bkds50h2) — Oakridge, TN
- [System Administrator, Operational Technology](https://feeny.ai/job/system-administrator-operational-technology-kairos-power-alameda-ca-or-77mrm2n56z19) — Alameda CA OR Albuquerque, NM
- [Distinguished Nuclear Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/distinguished-nuclear-engineer-kairos-power-alameda-hx01p5y1vaep) — Alameda, CA
- [Electrical Engineer, Plant Electrical Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-plant-electrical-systems-kairos-power-alameda-x8sax2zjzd4n) — Alameda, CA / Albuquerque, NM / Oak Ridge, TN
- [Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fuels Program](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-fuels-program-kairos-power-albuquerque-xw6h7jkh6cxs) — Albuquerque, NM
- [Process Engineer, TRISO Fuels Facility](https://feeny.ai/job/process-engineer-triso-fuels-facility-kairos-power-albuquerque-fg2shdha1bbt) — Albuquerque, NM
- [Senior Quality Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-quality-engineer-kairos-power-albuquerque-yhghh777gmfy) — Albuquerque, NM
- [Senior Plant Control Systems Engineer, Motion Control](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-plant-control-systems-engineer-motion-control-kairos-power-alameda-jtwxak1n3wmg) — Alameda, CA / Albuquerque, NM / Oak Ridge, TN
- [Facilities Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/facilities-engineer-ii-kairos-power-oak-ridge-0ygvx85gh3ja) — Oak Ridge, TN