Electrochemical Engineer
Kairos Power · Alameda, CA · onsite
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 motivated Electrochemical Engineer, focused on fluoride salt chemistry with expertise relevant to molten salt test equipment, electrochemical sensors, signal interpretation, and electrochemical process engineering. In this role, you will contribute to the operation of the company’s engineering testing and salt chemistry capabilities working with molten salts, including Flibe. The candidate must have knowledge of electrochemistry, electrochemical processing of molten salt, associated hardware, high temperature system design, and molten salt chemistry. The ideal candidate takes pride in their work and enjoys hands-on work in a laboratory setting.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, test, and evaluate electrochemical sensors and electrolytic cells used for molten fluoride salt chemistry systems.
- Analyze and interpret electrochemical signals and troubleshoot sensors on molten fluoride equipment at lab and industrial scales.
- Collaborate and interface with analytical chemists, materials scientists, and process engineers to relate electrochemical information to salt purity, corrosion, and process engineering.
- Collaborate and interface with mechanical and electrical engineers to design electrochemical sensors and process equipment for industrial scale systems
- Support system shakedown and troubleshoot molten Flibe equipment during commissioning and operation.
- Supports root-cause investigations of unexpected electrochemical measurements, sensor failures, or test-system performance.
- Develops or maintains electrochemical test procedures, measurement protocols, and acceptance criteria to improve repeatability and comparability of results.
- Collect, organize, analyze and interpret data to standardize electrochemical monitoring between various programs.
- Perform work involving molten fluoride salts and beryllium-containing materials in accordance with approved procedures, engineering controls, chemical-hygiene practices, required personal protective equipment, and applicable EHS requirements.
- Document test methods, results, observations, and conclusions and prepare technical and engineering reports.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- B.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in electrochemistry, preferably with molten salts, high-temperature systems, electrochemical processing, or closely related applications.
- Experience developing or executing experimental procedures and documenting results in accordance with established laboratory or engineering quality practices.
- Demonstrated experience working with integrated mechanical, fluidic, and chemical process systems, including troubleshooting and iterative design is desirable.
- Familiarity with research and industrial electrochemistry data acquisition, instrumentation, and controls is desirable.
- Experience in high-temperature experimental setups, corrosion analysis, or fluoride salt handling is advantageous.
- Prior experience in a laboratory or pilot-scale R&D environment supporting test programs or multidisciplinary engineering efforts is preferred.
- Prior experience with Flibe chemistry or related salt systems in a nuclear, chemical, or energy-related context is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Advanced knowledge of molten salt electrochemistry, both theory and practical applications.
- Knowledge of experimental design as applied to electrochemical testing.
- Knowledge of corrosion science as it relates to molten fluoride salts and high-temperature materials compatibility.
- Ability to evaluate measurement repeatability and sources of uncertainty.
- Ability to develop technically defensible conclusions from complex or incomplete experimental data.
- Ability to work collaboratively across diverse technical teams, including chemists, engineers, and technicians.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to maintain clear, accurate records of experimental procedures, test results, and system configurations.
- Proficiency in analyzing electrochemical data using tools such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent, to support signal processing, data visualization, and interpretation.
- Understanding of procedures for calibration, maintenance, and validation of electrochemical sensors and test equipment to ensure reliable operation.
- Team player with excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of the hazards and established controls associated with high-temperature molten fluoride salts and beryllium-containing materials.
- Ability to follow approved chemical-hygiene, material-handling, contamination-control, and emergency-response procedures.
- Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others
Physical Demands
- Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and etc.
- 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 and power tools
- Repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams
Environmental Conditions
- High concentration
- Fast paced
- Small and/or enclosed spaces
- Noisy environments
- High temperatures
- General office environment
- Odors or fumes from manufacturing and test processes
- Beryllium laboratory
Safety and PPE
- Performing tasks in a beryllium work area while following strict safety procedures
- Communication skills to maintain awareness
- Reading and interpreting warning signs
- Manipulating, cleaning, and disposal of hazardous materials
- Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions
- Color identification: detecting, distinguishing, recognizing, and identifying colors
- Wearing PPE including Tyvek, respirators, face shields, gloves, safety footwear, or other PPE as required
Travel
- Some travel may be required (10%), including travel to Kairos Power sites, suppliers, fabrication shops, test facilities, or installation sites.
Additional Requirements
- Requires schedule flexibility occasionally
To be completed by Recruiter:
The salary range for this position is $122,270 to $143,847 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-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 pac