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Oklo Inc · 3 weeks ago

Director of Business Development, Defense & National Security

Santa Clara, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$180K/yr - $220K/yr

Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable energy solutions. They are seeking a Director of Business Development, Defense & National Security to lead engagement with the US Department of Defense and federal energy stakeholders, focusing on managing relationships and identifying new opportunities in defense and national security sectors.

Clean EnergyEnergyManufacturingNuclearRenewable Energy

Responsibilities

Leading Oklo's defense, national security, and federal agency business development strategy, building on existing relationships and identifying new opportunities

Managing key customer and partner relationships across the DoD, national security organizations, DOE, and other relevant federal agencies

Supporting capture strategy, opportunity qualification, and prioritization of near term and long term federal programs

Developing and negotiating commercial structures, term sheets, and partnership agreements in coordination with legal, finance, and executive leadership

Preparing briefings, presentations, and written materials for meetings with government, military, and executive stakeholders

Working closely with Oklo executives to transition and expand existing relationships and align on strategic priorities

Coordinating with communications, policy, and media teams on messaging related to defense, national security, and government applications

Partnering with internal technical, regulatory, and project development teams to support customer specific solutions

Recruiting, building, and leading a business development team focused on federal and national security markets

Traveling to meetings at Oklo headquarters, Washington DC, national laboratories, military installations, and customer sites as needed. Expected travel is approximately two to three times per month, with flexibility depending on program needs

Qualification

Business DevelopmentGovernment ContractingFederal Acquisition ProcessesRelationship ManagementProposal DevelopmentComplex NegotiationsTeam LeadershipCommunication SkillsDetail OrientedCreative Problem Solving

Required

A working understanding of government contracting, project development, customer agreements, and complex negotiations

Familiarity with federal acquisition processes, including DoD, DoE, and other agency engagement models

Experience leading business development or capture efforts in defense, national security, or other federal markets, particularly within hard tech, energy, infrastructure, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing environments

Experience navigating government stakeholders, mission driven customers, and multi year programs

Prior military service, DoD civilian experience, or direct exposure to Military Service level or DoD headquarters level energy programs

Ability to clearly communicate complex ideas without unnecessary complexity and build trust with senior government, military, and industry counterparts

Passionate about delivering clean, resilient energy solutions supporting US national security and mission critical operations

Motivated to help deploy advanced fission in service of U.S. strategic and defense objectives

Strong understanding of military installation energy resilience requirements, including energy assurance, microgrid integration, secure baseload needs, and mission critical load planning

Familiarity with the structure, mission, and internal mechanics of DoD headquarters energy programs and policy offices

Working knowledge of the federal acquisition system, including DoD, DoE, DHS and other agency specific procurement and partnership mechanisms

Able to rapidly learn and operate effectively across technical, commercial, and policy domains

Comfortable working in a fast paced, highly iterative startup environment

Detail oriented, organized, and disciplined in managing complex opportunities

A strong and positive communicator, both written and verbal

A capable leader who can recruit, mentor, and lead a growing team

Skilled at building trust quickly across diverse stakeholder groups

Willing and able to travel as 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