Mechatronics Engineer

Oklo; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Equity

Competitive pay

401k

Health insurance

Flexible work hours

Job summary

A clean energy company in Santa Clara is seeking a Mechatronics Engineer to design automated systems for their nuclear fuel recycling engineering team. The role involves close collaboration with various engineering disciplines and requires strong CAD skills, experience in automation design, and an enthusiasm for clean energy. The position offers a competitive salary, flexible time off, and opportunities for growth in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years' experience with automation or robotic system design.
• Expert proficiency with CAD software.
• Broad familiarity with engineering principles and strong systems integration intuition.

Responsibilities

• Design robotic and electromechanical systems for remote handling of materials.
• Define specifications and performance criteria for automated systems.
• Integrate automation hardware and control systems for unmanned operations.

Skills

Proficient in CAD for mechanical and robotic systems

Experienced with electromechanical systems

Strong communication skills

Creative problem-solving

Detail oriented

Education

Engineering education in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline

Tools

CAD software

Simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, ROS, MATLAB/Simulink)

Job description

Mechatronics Engineer

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.

Specific Responsibilities

• 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

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• 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

Who You Are

• A startup person: You’re not driven by titles or hierarchy, prefer efficiency to excess process, and thrive with limited guidance.
• Motivated: You are self‑motivated and bring enthusiasm to the team.
• A team‑player: You value collaboration and ownership of shared success.
• An excellent communicator: You can convey complex ideas clearly and upbeatly.
• Creative: You invent solutions for open‑ended problems day‑by‑day.
• Detail‑oriented: You maintain high standards in grammar, spelling, and quality.

Minimum Qualifications

• Engineering education in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline
• 5 to 10 years’ experience with automation or robotic system design
• Expert proficiency with CAD software
• 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
• Familiarity with PLCs, industrial automation, and robotics programming
• 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

Work Arrangements

Oklo requires remote employees to travel to headquarters (Santa Clara, CA) twice a quarter annually, including attendance at team meetings, off‑sites, and other company events or gatherings.

Compensation

$100,000–$175,000 (dependent on experience)

Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, competitive pay, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits.

About Oklo

Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy. Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.

#CHOP: Oklo’s Values

• Collaboration: We go further, together. We bring diverse perspectives, listen actively, and build trust through transparency and respect. We work across disciplines, sharing ownership to turn complex challenges into shared successes.
• Humility: We are team players who act for the good of the company and for the world. We are focused on our mission, not personal recognition.
• Ownership: We take pride in what we do and how we do it. We are proactive in finding solutions and see tasks through to completion. We are committed to delivering on our promises to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
• Pathfinding: We chart new ground where no path exists by approaching challenges with curiosity, courage, and creativity while navigating ambiguity.

Application Process

We are looking to fill this position immediately! If you are interested, please submit your résumé and cover letter. Oklo is an equal‑opportunity employer.