--- title: 'Senior Mill-Turn Machinist at Kairos Power' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mill-turn-machinist-kairos-power-alameda-ca-or-richmond-1bebgfbfj597' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-15' --- # Senior Mill-Turn Machinist at Kairos Power - **Company:** Kairos Power - **Location:** Alameda CA OR Richmond, CA - **Posted:** 2025-10-10 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kairospower/jobs/5597982004 ## 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 a highly skilled and motivated Senior Mill-Turn Machinist experienced with multitask machining operations, including dual spindle lathes or mill-turn machines. In this role, you will support precision machining operations of a wide range of component sizes requiring tight tolerances and complex geometry.  The Senior Machinist will contribute to Kairos Power’s machining capabilities by operating a variety of multi-axis machines to create quality parts that meet all engineering specifications with exceptional craftsmanship.  This position supports the execution of manufacturing processes that support the company’s Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (FHR) program and broader technology initiatives. ## Responsibilities - Interprets blueprints along with 3D models to develop NC programs, design fixturing, plan machining sequences, and operate CNC machines to produce precision components. - MultiAxis programming with industry Software for CAD/CAM such as MasterCam. - Creates safe workholding methods and plans for work coordinates or tooling before any machine operations. - Set up, operation and programing of a wide range of component sizes to deliver parts to meet internal deadlines or quality requirements. - Operate shop-related machines and equipment such as band saws, hand tools, and measuring equipment when preparing material. - Selects appropriate jaws or creates custom workholding while utilizing primarily hydraulic chucks on main and sub spindles in mill-turn machines. - Monitor machine operations and interpret G and M codes to verify accuracy of machined workpiece to specifications; make adjustments as needed anywhere that can be improved. - Maintain a clean and organized work environment to keep associated paperwork organized and prevent loss of stock or tooling. - Identify and resolve machining challenges independently and assist others as needed. - Executes rigging, material movement and setup of large (>1,000 lb) machined parts following established safety protocols. - Performs precision machining operations on parts and components within multi-process assemblies, including components that have undergone prior processes such as welding, rolling, and forming, contributing to a continuous and complex manufacturing workflow. - Maintains compliance with internal quality standards and proficiently utilizes job scheduling software to track production and shop floor operations. - Completes and maintains accurate job travelers and first article inspection reports to ensure documentation compliance and traceability throughout the manufacturing process. - Other duties as assigned ## Qualifications - High school diploma or GED required, along with a 5+ years of relevant machining experience (including mill, lathe, 3-axis, 5-axis, and live-tooling); or an equivalent combination of education, training, and hands-on experience. - Experience in rigging, material movement and setup of large machined parts and supporting lift plans for movement of large material and parts. - Experience in reading and interpreting engineering and assembly drawings. - Experience with mill-turn environment in MasterCam a plus. - Experience with live centers or steady rests on long parts a plus. - Experience with Okuma Multus, DMG Mori NTX or Mazak Integrex - Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar CAD platforms to assist with understanding part geometry and communicating with engineering teams is a plus. - Proficient programming with CAM software (Mastercam preferred). Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Knowledge of CAM-CAD software and G-Code. - Ability to adapt machining processes and operation between different jobs and complexities of parts, including ability to switch from small scale to large scale machinery. - Proficient programming with CAM software. - Understanding of basic and advanced GD&T such as: tolerancing, flatness, parallelism, thread tolerances, profile tolerances, perpendicularity. - Knowledge and understanding of CNC cutting tool selections cutting tool surface footage, and chip load feed rates. - Ability to work with shop mathematical concepts to practical situations. - Ability to maintain and use precision measuring tools such as: Vernier Calipers, Micrometers, Height gages, Gauge Pins, Gauge Blocks, Thread Gauges, etc. - Willingness to provide mentorship and technical guidance to machinists, fostering skill development, continuous improvement, and adherence to best practices in machining operations preferred, but not required. - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. - Ability to utilize computers and company-specific software, including timekeeping tools, training platforms, and work order systems to perform daily responsibilities effectively. - Ability to work with highly collaborative team. - Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of organization. - Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently. - Prioritizes and ensures safety of one self 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 Demands - Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, 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 50 pounds in all directions - Communicating with others to exchange information - Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery - Use hand tools - Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams Environmental Conditions - General office environment - Low temperatures - High temperatures - Outdoor environment or elements such as precipitation and wind - Noisy environments - Small and/or enclosed spaces - Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions - Elevated 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, safety shoes, etc. Certification - Capable of obtaining forklift and boom lift certification - Capable of obtaining crane and rigging certification Additional Requirements - Sometimes requires working weekends - Often requires schedule flexibility - Often requires non-standard work-week hours - Often requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines The hourly range for this position is $49 to $58 for employees working onsite at our locations in Richmond, CA and 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 - [EHS Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/ehs-manager-kairos-power-albuquerque-9meft8jmh55e) — Albuquerque, NM - [Senior Manager, Commercial Development](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-commercial-development-kairos-power-alameda-v22nh077a10f) — Alameda, CA - [Operations Engineer, Salt Production Facility](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-engineer-salt-production-facility-kairos-power-albuquerque-gwgt2xz2xc8p) — Albuquerque, NM - [Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/environmental-health-and-safety-ehs-specialist-kairos-power-albuquerque-m0sf1y9c4s8s) — Albuquerque, NM - [Director, Manufacturing Industrialization & Scaling](https://feeny.ai/job/director-manufacturing-industrialization-scaling-kairos-power-alameda-khbd6a4d2ee2) — Alameda, CA - [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