--- title: 'Senior Quality Engineer at Kairos Power' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-quality-engineer-kairos-power-albuquerque-3r53pcnjttpn' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-20' --- # Senior Quality Engineer at Kairos Power - **Company:** Kairos Power - **Location:** Albuquerque, NM - **Posted:** 2026-10-16 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-20 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kairospower/jobs/6179438004 ## 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 Senior Quality Engineer to independently lead quality assurance assessments of hardware processes and projects against safety and delivery commitments for design, testing, component manufacturing, construction, and operation. The Senior Quality Engineer uses assessment results to drive continuous improvement of Kairos Power’s quality management system in partnership with design, testing, manufacturing, construction, and operations teams. ## Responsibilities - Partner with design, testing, manufacturing, construction, and operations teams developing quality plans, processes and procedures to support hardware development and delivery. - Independently lead quality assurance assessments of hardware design, testing, component manufacturing, construction, and operation processes and projects, partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, ensure work effectiveness and drive continuous improvement. - Translate quality assurance assessment findings from unsatisfied commitments to clearly defined and actionable corrective and preventative actions supported by causal analyses. - Communicate quality assurance assessment outcomes and the evaluation of process compliance and hardware effectiveness to technical teams, stakeholders, associated leaders, and senior leadership. - Mentor Quality Engineers in the application of quality assurance methods and analyses across the technology development lifecycle. - Improve the Kairos Power quality management system and quality assurance processes and guidance based on project needs and lessons learned from quality assurance assessment outcomes, nonconformances and operating experience. - Collaborate with teams across Kairos Power sites, including travel as needed to support project activities. - Perform other responsibilities as assigned, which may include hands-on work involving hardware fabrication, assembly, testing, commissioning, and operation. ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree (or greater) in engineering or other technical discipline. - At least 8 years of experience in quality assurance for engineering in industries with robust safety and reliability requirements, such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, commercial railway and shipping, petrochemicals, or large infrastructure construction. - At least 8 years of experience using ISO-based management standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, AS9100, IATF (ISO/TS) 16949, ISO 17025, ISO 13485, ISO/TS 22163, and ISO 29001 and API Q1/Q2. - Experience in quality management system implementation and management, including writing procedures and guidance documents, providing training and leading continuous improvement programs to revise existing program elements. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Demonstrated ability to use regulations, codes and standards, specifications, and other requirements in quality assurance assessments to determine activity compliance and the effectiveness of activity outcomes and work products. - Demonstrated ability to use quality assurance methods and analyses across product development lifecycle, including design control, configuration management, inspections and tests, records management, and experience interfacing with suppliers for quality oversight and verification. - Demonstrated experience independently planning, conducting, documenting, and reporting findings from quality assurance assessments or audits of engineering processes or projects. - Excellent verbal, written communication/presentation and interpersonal skills. - Ability to work with highly collaborative team. - 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, and the like. - 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 weighing up to 25 pounds. - Communicating with others to exchange information. 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. - Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned. - High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced. - Prototyping/Test Facilities. - Manufacturing/Industrial Environments. Safety and PPE - Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs. - Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions. - Color identification: detecting, distinguishing, recognizing and identifying colors. - Wearing proper PPE, which may include respiratory protection, face protection, gloves, protective clothing, safety shoes, or other PPE as required. Travel - Some travel may be required, up to 25% Additional Requirements - Requires overtime occasionally. - Requires working weekends occasionally. - Requires schedule flexibility occasionally. - Requires non-standard work-week hours occasionally. - Requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines occasionally. - Onsite: #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 - [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 - [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