Mechanical Engineering Internship

Job Description

About the Company: Kairos Power

Kairos Power is an innovative nuclear energy technology and engineering company with a bold mission: to facilitate the world’s transition to clean energy. The ultimate goal is to significantly enhance people’s quality of life while simultaneously safeguarding the environment. This ambitious objective is to be achieved through the commercialization of the fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR). This advanced reactor technology is designed for robust safety, affordable costs, and flexible operation, making it capable of accommodating the expansion of variable renewable energy sources.

Job Description: Mechanical Engineering Internship (Summer 2026)

Kairos Power is offering compelling internship opportunities for students specializing in Mechanical Engineering for the Summer 2026 term. These roles are pivotal, as the contributions of interns will directly support Kairos Power’s mission to deliver a groundbreaking technology that addresses climate change.

Areas with potential internship opportunities include:

• Engineering Test
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Design
• Reliability Engineering
• Systems Integration Engineering
• Quality Engineering

General Responsibilities:

Interns will be involved in a diverse range of tasks, including:

• Assisting in the design, analysis, testing, and optimization of mechanical systems, components, and processes.
• Collaborating with various cross-functional teams, such as engineers, technicians, and project managers, to ensure project goals and timelines are met.
• Conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data to validate designs and support decision-making processes.
• Developing and documenting essential technical materials like Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical reports, and engineering drawings.
• Contributing to the enhancement and development of manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Participating in troubleshooting and problem-solving activities to overcome engineering challenges.
• Assisting in the fabrication, assembly, and testing of prototypes to validate designs.
• Engaging in engineering and design reviews, offering ideas and feedback to improve product design and reliability.
• Supporting inspections, quality checks, and documentation to ensure adherence to engineering standards and requirements.
• Assisting in reliability engineering efforts by analyzing failure modes and proposing solutions to boost system performance.
• Committing to continuous learning to stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Ensuring compliance with safety regulations and company policies across all engineering activities.
• Presenting findings, progress, and recommendations to the engineering team and management.
• Performing other assigned duties as needed.

Qualifications:

To be considered for these opportunities, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled and pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Systems Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field.
• Highly preferred: Demonstrated application of technical skills beyond the classroom setting, evidenced through laboratory work, research, extracurricular projects, personal projects, or prior internship/work experience.
• Familiarity with prototyping, fabrication, or testing equipment.
• Exposure to engineering standards, drawings, and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Basic proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, MATLAB).
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, quality control, and engineering testing methodologies.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to apply critical thinking to engineering challenges.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word).
• Possession of self-starter initiative, critical thinking, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Proven team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
• Prioritizes and ensures the safety of oneself and others.
• Ability to proactively collect, manage, and transfer knowledge.
• Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when tackling problems, challenges, and issues.

Physical Conditions:

The role may involve various physical activities, including:

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts, etc.
• Setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g., scaffolding, ladders).
• 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 20 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Using hand tools.
• Performing repetitive assembly operations of manufacturing test fixtures and test setups in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams.

Environmental Conditions:

Work will primarily occur in:

• A general office environment.
• A high-concentration, demanding, and fast-paced setting where accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work are essential.

Safety and PPE:

Employees are expected to adhere to safety protocols, including:

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs.
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions.
• Wearing proper PPE, including face masks, face shields, gloves, and safety shoes.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The hourly range for this onsite position at the Alameda, CA headquarters is $28-$32. The actual salary will be determined based on factors like education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, market data, and comparison to existing employees in similar roles.
• Benefits (for full-time employees, excluding interns) include: 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).

Equal Opportunity and Export Control:

Kairos Power is dedicated to building a diverse workforce and 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. The company actively welcomes people of different experiences, abilities, and perspectives and participates in E-Verify.

Important Note on Export Control:
This position is located in a facility that handles information subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy (DOE) under 10 CFR Part 810. To work in this facility, individuals must be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries *not• on the Department of Energy’s general authorization list are generally not permitted to work in the facility unless the Department of Energy issues a specific export control license to Kairos Power for that individual.