--- title: 'Operations Engineer at Kairos Power' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/operations-engineer-kairos-power-oak-ridge-6vzk33m02hht' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-20' --- # Operations 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/6206185004 ## 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 Operations Engineer to integrate the conditions required to support efficient execution of reactor builds. Where Build Engineers make individual work packages executable, the Operations Engineer supports execution of overall build by aligning people, parts, plant, planning, engineering readiness, quality, tooling, and constraints. The role owns the integrated master execution schedule and administers the Last Planner process while using AI-enabled tools to improve constraint visibility, schedule quality, and decision speed. The near-term plan may be developed on a physical Last Planner board, with the Operations Engineer capturing commitments, constraints, and variance data to improve the baseline planning approach for the next build. ## Responsibilities - Own and maintain the integrated master execution schedule for assigned reactor build, integration, Test and Activation, fueling, and related operational activities. - Administer the Last Planner process and translate long-range milestones into credible near-term executable work. - Integrate personnel availability, material/part status, plant/facility readiness, work-package maturity, engineering completion, quality requirements, tooling, and prerequisite activities. - Identify constraints before they disrupt field work and coordinate timely resolution with responsible owners. - Maintain clear views of work that is executable now, work approaching readiness, and work at risk. - Analyze sequencing alternatives and reduce avoidable latency, handoff delays, resource conflicts, and work-front congestion. - Coordinate closely with Build Engineers, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Construction, Test and Activation teams, and leadership. - Use AI-enabled tools to synthesize status across enterprise systems, identify emerging conflicts, evaluate scenarios, and automate routine reporting. - Develop or tailor lightweight planning and visualization tools within approved guardrails when existing tools do not adequately support execution and planning needs. - Capture and apply lessons from schedule performance and constraint resolution to improve future reactor planning. - Other duties as assigned. ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Construction Management, Operations Research, Systems Engineering, or related discipline. - Typically 3+ years of experience in complex project execution, production planning, construction planning, manufacturing operations, commissioning, or integrated scheduling; candidates with less experience may be considered based on strong demonstrated capability. - Experience integrating schedules with material, labor, engineering, quality, and physical-work constraints. - Working knowledge of critical path, look-ahead planning, constraint management, and production control. - Strong quantitative, analytical, and communication skills. - Proficiency with AI-enabled tools, or demonstrated ability to learn and apply new digital tools effectively. - Experience with Last Planner System or lean construction/production methods is strongly desirable. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Ability to identify and evaluation dependencies across functions, systems, and organizational boundaries. - Ability to prioritize executable, decision-useful, plans and schedules based on current readiness and constraints. - Ability to facilitate cross-functional planning discussions, establish clear commitments, and follow through on assigned actions. - Ability to identify and prioritize constraints that materially affect execution and schedule progress. - Ability to make or support timely planning decisions using incomplete information and clearly communicate assumptions and uncertainty. - Ability to evaluate reported status critically and constructively address unsupported assumptions of schedule risks. - Ability to use performance data and lessons learned to improve planning processes, tools, and future execution. 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. - Prototyping/Test Facilities. - Manufacturing/Industrial Environments. - Radiological/Controlled Environments. 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 may be required Certification - None required 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 - [Applications Integration Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/applications-integration-engineer-kairos-power-oak-ridge-dvq7qmd0hwe8) — 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