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Oklo Inc · 1 month ago

Mechanical Design Engineer - Fuel Manufacturing

United States

Full-time

Remote

Senior Level

$100K/yr - $150K/yr

5+ years exp

Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. They are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join their Fuel Fabrication team, responsible for engineering design solutions and ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and regulatory standards.

Clean EnergyEnergyManufacturingNuclearRenewable Energy

Responsibilities

Coordinate closely with analysis teams to lead and interpret thermal, structural, fatigue, and safety analyses in support of design validation

Oversee prototype builds and testing, interpreting data to drive design improvements

Develop engineering documentation (design reports, calculations, specifications, test plans, and validation records)

Develop and own the design of equipment and mechanical components within Oklo’s fuel fabrication facilities

Collaborate cross-functionally with other engineering teams to define design and functional requirements, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and industry standards

Use CAD tools to translate functional requirements into robust designs that meet facility requirements (e.g., operating requirements and space constraints)

Conduct and participate in design reviews, providing and receiving technical feedback

Rigorously evaluate mechanical designs to identify deficiencies and proactively propose and implement solutions

Generate and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and bills of materials using controlled processes in PDM/PLM systems

Perform detailed manufacturability reviews, tolerance studies, and DFM/DFA assessments to prepare components for fabrication and assembly

Create and maintain clear, well-written engineering documentation, including design rationales, functional requirements, reviews of historical designs, and detailed explanations of system architecture and performance

Work closely with fabrication partners to refine designs for cost-effective and practical production

Manage engagements with consultants and engineering firms to support high-fidelity analysis, ASME code compliance, and design maturity advancement

Contribute to continuous improvement of Oklo’s mechanical design processes, tools, and standards through feedback and development of best practices

Qualification

3D CAD modelingMechanical design principlesDFM/DFA assessmentsEngineering documentationPDM/PLM toolsGD&T interpretationThermal-mechanical analysisTeam collaborationCommunication skillsCreative problem solving

Required

Bachelor's or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline

5-10 years of work experience required, 4+ years of industry experience in mechanical or structural design within sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, or industrial equipment

Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software (e.g., Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks), including part modeling, large assemblies, and detailed drawings

Experience with CAD version control using PDM/PLM tools (e.g., SolidWorks PDM, Teamcenter, Windchill)

Solid understanding of mechanical design principles, including DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFA (Design for Assembly), and tolerance stack-up analysis

Ability to interpret and produce engineering drawings that apply GD&T in line with ASME Y14.5 or similar standards

Working knowledge of material selection (particularly metals), manufacturing methods, and fabrication techniques

Demonstrated ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams, integrating feedback from analysis, manufacturing, and systems engineering

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and present engineering work

Comfortable working with external manufacturers and engineering consultants for fabrication and analysis support

Preferred

Experience designing large structural weldments and mechanical joints

Background in designing and engineering components for high-integrity or safety-critical systems (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, defense, or heavy industry)

Proven ability to lead hardware projects through the full development cycle—from concept and design to testing and production

Knowledge of large scale fabrication techniques and transportation/handling of large components

Understanding of thermal-mechanical analysis principles, with experience designing for high-temperature environments

Basic knowledge of nuclear fission and radiation effects on materials and components

Exposure to simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS) and scripting languages (e.g., Python) is a plus

Local to Idaho Falls, ID is a bonus, but not required

Benefits

Flexible time off

Equity

Competitive pay

401k

Health insurance

FSA

Flexible work hours

Other benefits

Company

Oklo Inc

Oklo's mission is to provide clean, reliable, affordable energy through the deployment of next-generation fast fission technology and recycling nuclear waste.

Founded in 2013

Santa Clara, California, USA

51-200 employees