Mechatronics Engineer

OKLO; Oak Ridge (TN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

OKLO is seeking a Mechatronics Engineer for its Oak Ridge facility to design automated systems and robotic material-handling equipment for remote-operated processes in radiological hot cells. You will lead system design, CAD modeling, and integration of automation across disciplines, collaborating with design, chemical engineering, instrumentation, software, and QA teams.

The role emphasizes prototyping, regulatory documentation, and hands-on development of robotic systems in challenging

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in mechatronics, mechanical, robotics, electrical, or related discipline.
• 5–10 years’ experience with automation or robotic system design.
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, industrial automation, and robotics programming.
• Expert proficiency with CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Broad familiarity with engineering principles and strong systems integration intuition.

Responsibilities

• Design robotic and electromechanical systems for remote handling in high-temperature, high-corrosion, high-radiation environments.
• Define architecture, specifications, control logic, and performance criteria for automated material-handling and process systems.
• Integrate automation hardware, sensors, and control systems for reliable unmanned operations.
• Serve as technical lead for automation and handling systems across their lifecycle.
• Develop documentation to guide fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of automated equipment.
• Generate technical docs for regulatory filings and internal knowledge capture.
• Build, test, and iterate on prototypes for automation and handling subsystems.
• Write clear reports and communicate results across disciplines.

Skills

Automation design

Robotics programming

PLC systems

CAD modeling

Systems integration

Education

Engineering degree in mechatronics or related

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Mechatronics Engineer to join our nuclear fuel recycling engineering team.

Position Description

The mechatronics engineer is responsible for designing automated systems and robotic material-handling equipment for remote-operated processes in radiological hot cells for the Oklo Fuel Recycling Facility. Day-to-day activities will include system design, CAD modeling, requirements generation, and eventual prototyping and integration of augmentation into various systems. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams including facility design, chemical engineering, pyroprocessing, instrumentation and controls, software engineering, process modeling, quality assurance, and licensing.

There is a strong preference for candidates in the Oak Ridge, TN area.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Designing robotic and electromechanical systems for remote handling of materials in high-temperature, high corrosion, and high-radiation environments
• Defining architecture, specifications, control logic, and performance criteria for automated material-handling and process systems
• Integrating automation hardware, sensors, and control systems for reliable unmanned operations
• Serving as technical lead for automation and handling systems across their lifecycle
• Developing documentation to guide fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of automated equipment
• Generating technical documentation for regulatory filings and internal knowledge capture
• Building, testing, and iterating on prototypes for automation and handling subsystems
• Writing clear, concise reports and communicating results across disciplines

Minimum Qualifications:

• Engineering education in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline
• 5 to 10 years’ experience withautomation or robotic system design
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, industrial automation, and robotics programming
• Expert proficiency with CAD software, preferably Solidworks
• Broad familiarity with engineering principles and strong systems integration intuition

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with robotic arms, conveyors, or other automated handling systems
• Experience designing for remote or hazardous environments
• Experience with radiological hot cell environments
• Experience with high-temperature (>500 °C) equipment design
• Knowledge of GD&T and design for manufacturing
• Experience with simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, ROS, MATLAB/Simulink)
• Background in nuclear, petrochemical, or pharmaceutical industries with automated systems
• Experience deploying or working on pilot plants or unmanned manufacturing systems
• Located by Oak Ridge, TN

We are looking for a Mechatronics Engineer who is

• Passionate about clean energy and advanced fission
• Proficient in 2D/3D modeling and CAD for mechanical and robotic systems
• Experienced with electromechanical systems, controls, and automation integration
• Energized by prototyping and deploying real-world hardware
• Creative and persistent when tackling novel engineering challenges
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment
• A strong communicator, both in technical writing and in collaborative discussions

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