Director, Balance of Plant

Kairos Power

. Provide strategic and technical leadership for balance-of-plant systems, including heat transport systems, high-temperature steam Rankine cycles, power generation systems, and auxiliary systems .

Posted 11/4/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in power generation systems, thermal-fluid systems, and engineering leadership, with a strong focus on strategic execution, technical decision-making, and supplier management. Proven ability to translate organizational strategy into engineering priorities while fostering accountability and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Power Generation SystemsEngineering LeadershipSupplier ManagementThermal-Fluid SystemsTechnical Decision-Making

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Mechanical EngineeringNuclear EngineeringChemical EngineeringIntegrated Power Plant SystemsRisk AssessmentProblem SolvingTechnical EvaluationDesign ReviewsCommissioning SupportEquipment Procurement

Soft Skills

ProactiveOrganizedAdaptableCommunicationCollaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

Department of Energy Authorization

Industry Keywords

Balance-of-Plant SystemsHigh-Temperature Steam Rankine CyclesAuxiliary SystemsSupplier Technical ExecutionFactory Acceptance TestingEngineering ContractorsComplex Industrial SystemsMission-Critical DecisionsCross-Functional Technical IssuesSystemic Operational Improvements

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic and technical leadership for balance-of-plant systems, including heat transport systems, high-temperature steam Rankine cycles, power generation systems, and auxiliary systems
Establish department technical direction and decision boundaries consistent with company strategy and designated technical authorities
Lead engineering delivery from conceptual sizing through detailed design, vendor package review, and commissioning support
Own design reviews and technical risk
Ensure system and discipline leads satisfy applicable requirements, codes, standards, safety functions, and program alignment
Ensure engineering deliverables meet technical, quality, and schedule requirements
Oversee supplier technical execution, including supplier selection, bid evaluations, equipment specifications, design reviews, technical evaluations, qualification programs, factory acceptance testing, and supplier issue resolution
Evaluate BOP design and supplier changes for impacts on interfaces, plant performance, safety, and commissioning readiness
Build productive relationships with external organizations while maintaining accountability for technical requirements and engineering decisions
Translate company strategy into organizational priorities and decision principles
Manage scope, schedule, risk, and resource tradeoffs
Ensure strategic execution, corrective action, and removal of systemic barriers
Document and communicate technical and safety risks and mitigations
Engage in mission-critical technical or organizational decisions, crises, external reviews, and critical deliverables
Build the organization and leadership pipeline through recruitment, staffing, and leadership development
Hold senior leaders and technical leads accountable for capability, succession, performance, engagement, and retention
Correct systemic operational or compliance weaknesses and sustain improvements
Communicate direction and tradeoffs to leadership, teams, and cross-functional partners
Establish alignment across teams, resolve conflicts, and escalate broader tradeoffs
Reinforce accountability, integrity, psychological safety, and mission stewardship
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent
15+ years of progressively responsible engineering experience involving power generation, thermal-fluid systems, process systems, nuclear systems, or other complex industrial systems
7+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience managing engineering teams with multiple engineering disciplines
Experience managing engineering managers or technical leads with accountability for outcomes across multiple teams and work sites
Experience working with suppliers, OEMs, engineering contractors, or other external technical organizations
Experience leading technical development and qualification of major equipment through external suppliers or OEMs
Experience supporting construction, commissioning, startup, or operation of complex power generation or industrial facilities
Experience with integrated power plant systems, including modern high-temperature steam Rankine cycles and interactions between heat transport, power conversion, auxiliary systems, and plant infrastructure
Strong systems thinking and ability to resolve cross-functional technical issues
Ability to lead and support recruitment and staffing
Proactive, organized, adaptable, and able to thrive in fast-paced, multi-tasked environments
Knowledge of integrated power plant architecture, thermal-fluid systems, power generation systems, auxiliary systems, major plant equipment, interfaces, and steam generator technologies
Knowledge of equipment procurement, supplier engineering, manufacturing, testing, installation, commissioning, and lifecycle considerations
Skill in leading and developing multidisciplinary engineering organizations
Skill in translating program objectives into engineering strategies, priorities, resource plans, and measurable commitments
Skill in technical decision-making, trade studies, risk assessment, problem solving, and cross-system issue resolution
Ability to establish accountability while empowering managers, technical leads, and engineers
Ability to operate effectively in a first-of-a-kind environment with technical uncertainty and evolving requirements
Ability to communicate complex technical issues, uncertainties, risks, and tradeoffs to technical and nontechnical stakeholders
Ability to meet physical, environmental, PPE, travel, weekend, schedule-flexibility, and extended-hours requirements
Department of Energy authorization to access Part 810-controlled information, or applicable export-control licensing eligibility

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation packages
Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
Paid Vacation
401(k)
Pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)