System Administrator, Operational Technology

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 software administrator to support PostgreSQL, Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure, and data-platform administration. In this role, you will build and maintain key software infrastructure that operators will use to manage facilities and operate plants across Kairos Power. You will also manage platforms that support hardware, software, and data management used for plant operations and testing activities.

This role will support AWS and reactor-local infrastructure designed to maintain non-safety-related OT operations during extended loss of cloud connectivity.

Responsibilities

• Administer software platforms for SCADA/HMI, Electronic Procedures, Operations Management, Control System programming, Simulator Platform, and AWS-hosted servers.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop information architecture for software platforms.
• Coordinate data management activities supporting test systems and business operations.
• Support the administration and optimization of PostgreSQL databases in AWS and reactor-local environments, including query performance, indexing, backups, replication, and recovery testing.
• Support modularization and containerization of software solutions to enable repeatable and efficient deployment of solutions.
• Develop and maintain APIs that integrate design, operations, and finance platforms.
• Contribute to network segmentation and cloud resource strategy and perform approved updates that support continuity of operations.
• Monitor platform and database health, investigate service disruptions, and coordinate restoration or escalation with responsible teams.
• Maintain configuration records, system dependencies, and operating procedures for supported platforms.
• Administer user access and service accounts for supported platforms in accordance with approved access controls.
• Apply and validate approved software patches and configuration changes using established testing, release, and rollback procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent preferred but not required
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in software or systems administration, including PostgreSQL database administration and support of cloud or on-premises infrastructure
• Familiarity with SQL and PostgreSQL required

• Experience with GitHub or similar tools for version control and controlled software releases
• Demonstrated experience working with stakeholders to understand and develop infrastructure requirements

• Experience setting up and maintaining server infrastructure in cloud or on-premises environments
• Experience with SCADA platforms, such as Ignition, or OPC UA communications preferred
• Experience with Electronic Procedures, Plant Simulators, or Control System programming preferred
• Scripting experience with Python/Jython and PowerShell preferred.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting APIs or software integrations using a programming or scripting language.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to troubleshoot software platform, database, and connectivity issues using logs, diagnostic tools, and documented procedures.
• Knowledge of data integrity and availability considerations for cloud and reactor-local systems, including operation during loss of cloud connectivity.
• Knowledge of API integration concepts, including authentication, data exchange, and error handling.
• Understanding of software modularization and containerization concepts and their application to repeatable deployment.
• Ability to assess the operational impact of proposed changes, follow approval processes, and recognize when technical escalation is needed.
• Ability to translate stakeholder needs into clear technical requirements and communicate technical issues to technical and nontechnical users.

Physical Demands

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts 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 up to 30 pounds in all directions
• Communicating with others to exchange information
• Use hand tools

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
• Accessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous 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 proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes

Travel

• Some travel may be required (up to 10%)

Certification

• None required

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires working weekends
• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

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. 

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