Welding and materials engineering

Senior Electron Beam Welding Engineer 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. Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Senior Electron Beam Welding Engineer that will be responsible for in-house electron beam welding (EBW) capability development and technology maturation. In this role, you will work on the Welding Development team to assist in the advancement and implementation of welding and manufacturing capabilities. The candidate will partner with design, testing, materials, modeling & simulation, and reliability engineers to develop weld joint design, weld techniques, weld specifications, and inspection methods needed for welded KP-FHR and test platform assemblies. Design, develop, and maintain EBW procedures and supporting documentation (WPS/PQR) to meet material, joint, and quality requirements in compliance with applicable codes, standards (e.g., AWS, ASME, API), and regulatory expectations. Develop and execute weld qualification plans, including test coupons and validation trials, in coordination with quality and materials teams Anticipate future welding needs by aligning EBW procedures and qualification strategies with evolving product designs, manufacturing processes, and regulatory demands. Quality Assurance & Process Optimization Oversee and review EBW inspections to verify compliance with design specifications and applicable quality standards. Analyze weld test data to identify trends, determine root causes of defects, and implement corrective actions to enhance welding performance and reliability. Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize EBW processes, increase efficiency, reduce cost, and maintain high-quality output. Collaboration & Training Partner with design engineers, production teams, and key stakeholders to integrate EBW processes into the manufacturing workflow effectively. Provide hands-on training and mentorship to welding technicians and operators on EBW techniques, safety protocols, and industry best practices. Ensure accurate recordkeeping of EBW procedures, inspection results, and quality control data to support traceability and continuous improvement. Equipment Ownership & Maintenance Ensure performance, reliability, and availability of EBW systems, including high-vacuum chambers, beam control units, and power supplies. Lead maintenance and upgrade initiatives, including preventive planning, troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and system improvements to enhance automation and long-term equipment reliability. Bachelor's degree or higher in Welding Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field Minimum 5 years of welding engineering experience, with substantial hands-on experience in EBW required Experience with weld inspection methods, including both destructive testing and non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques Hands-on experience working with austenitic stainless steels, carbon steels, piping systems, and pressure vessels Experience leading cross-functional projects or mentoring junior engineers and technicians is preferred. Experience with manual and CNC machining operations is preferred Strong knowledge of EBW processes, high-vacuum systems, and high-voltage equipment operation Proficient in reading and interpreting complex engineering and assembly drawings, including weld symbols and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) Familiarity with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and AWS structural welding standards Skilled in using CAD software such as SolidWorks for part modeling and drawing generation Proficient with computers and digital tools used in technical documentation, data analysis, and process development Familiarity with the calibration, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of EBW systems and associated instrumentation. Strong problem-solving skills and ability to drive continuous improvement through data-driven analysis and collaboration Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, agile manufacturing or development environment able to collaborate effectively across engineering, production, and quality teams 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) Operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams Environmental Conditions Outdoor environment or elements such as precipitation and wind Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions General office environment Manufacturing/Industrial Environment Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions Travel ~ Some travel may be required (up to 20%) to other Kairos Power offices or external suppliers Occasionally requires overtime Occasionally requires working weekends Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines