Mechanical Engineer, Nuclear Waste Processing Systems

Oklo Inc; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonuses

Flexible time off

401(k)

Health insurance

HSA

FSA

Flexible work hours

Wellness credits

Job summary

Oklo Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join the Fuel Recycling Team in Santa Clara, CA. You will translate waste processing objectives into practical equipment requirements and work with vendors to ensure reliable, maintainable systems in a nuclear environment.

The role emphasizes defining specifications, operating concepts, and acceptance criteria while evaluating designs for simplicity, operability, and compliance. Strong CAD and documentation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Experience developing, specifying, integrating, or implementing industrial process equipment.
• Experience with equipment vendors, technical specifications, procurement packages, or design reviews.
• Experience with 3D CAD tools, 2D fabrication drawings, equipment specifications, and controlled design documentation.
• Familiarity with P&IDs, mechanical equipment layouts, process equipment interfaces, material handling concepts, and vendor design packages.
• Strong mechanical engineering judgment, including practical understanding of maintainability, reliability, fabrication, inspection, and failure modes.
• Experience coordinating work across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to produce clear, traceable technical documentation in support of design development, procurement, safety review, or licensing activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical requirements, equipment specifications, acceptance criteria, and operating concepts for radioactive waste treatment systems.
• Translate process requirements into practical equipment solutions for waste processing, packaging, storage, and material handling.
• Evaluate vendor designs for functionality, maintainability, reliability, contamination control, remote operation, and lifecycle performance.
• Develop and review equipment layouts, P&IDs, material handling flows, tooling concepts, and mechanical interfaces.
• Identify opportunities to simplify designs, improve operability, reduce maintenance burden, and increase production readiness.
• Support procurement by finding relevant vendors, preparing technical specifications, evaluating vendor proposals, and reviewing design deliverables.
• Lead or participate in multidisciplinary design reviews and drive technical action items to closure.
• Develop engineering documentation including design bases, interface definitions, design evaluations, and technical reports.
• Support hazard analyses, licensing activities, commissioning, and facility integration.

Skills

Mechanical design

Vendor management

3D CAD tools

P&IDs familiarity

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

Job description

Oklo Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join the Fuel Recycling Team in Santa Clara, CA. You will translate waste processing objectives into practical equipment requirements and work with vendors to ensure reliable, maintainable systems in a nuclear environment.

The role emphasizes defining specifications, operating concepts, and acceptance criteria while evaluating designs for simplicity, operability, and compliance. Strong CAD and documentation skills are essential.