Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Oklo; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity

401(k) plan

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible paid time off

Remote work options

Job summary

An innovative energy company is seeking a Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer to perform criticality safety evaluations and develop a nuclear criticality safety program for a unique used nuclear fuel recycling facility. The ideal candidate has a relevant engineering degree and over 5 years of experience in criticality safety evaluations. The role offers competitive pay, benefits including remote work options, and opportunities to grow in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of experience performing CSEs as part of a nuclear facility’s safety basis.
• Knowledge of used nuclear fuel recycling technologies.
• Familiarity with critical experiments and their purpose.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate nuclear criticality safety hazards for fuel cycle facilities.
• Perform criticality safety evaluations (CSEs) to demonstrate subcriticality under normal and credible abnormal conditions.
• Document criticality hazard analyses, CSEs, and supporting technical information.

Skills

Criticality safety evaluations

Nuclear engineering

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or related field

Tools

Attila4MC

MCNP

SCALE

Serpent codes

Job description

Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Santa Clara, CA or Remote

Position Overview

Oklo is seeking a Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer to perform criticality safety evaluations, develop the nuclear criticality safety basis, and architect the nuclear criticality safety program for a first‑of‑a‑kind used nuclear fuel recycling facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate nuclear criticality safety hazards for fuel cycle facilities.
• Perform criticality safety evaluations (CSEs) to demonstrate subcriticality under normal and credible abnormal conditions.
• Develop the criticality code validation report.
• Demonstrate compliance with the double‑contingency principle.
• Document criticality hazard analyses, CSEs, and supporting technical information.
• Evaluate and implement controlled parameters for the NCS program.
• Develop the criticality accident alarm system and inadvertent criticality emergency response plan.
• Support safety basis development and licensing efforts.
• Develop and administer the NCS program, methodologies, and management measures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years experience performing CSEs as part of a nuclear facility’s safety basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of used nuclear fuel recycling technologies.
• 10+ years experience performing criticality safety evaluations for an NRC licensed fuel cycle facility.
• Knowledge of nuclear science, physics of criticality, and chemistry.
• Knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle processes and accident scenarios.
• Proficiency with Attila4MC, MCNP, SCALE, and/or Serpent codes and modules.
• Familiarity with critical experiments and their purpose.
• Knowledge of criticality‑specific codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and industry practices for nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
• Familiarity with NUREG‑1513, NUREG‑1520, NUREG/CR‑6410, NUREG/CR‑6698, NUREG/CR‑7311, and NRC RG 3.71.
• Passionate about clean energy and advanced fission.
• Knowledgeable about structural design, analysis, and construction.
• Eager to work on a dynamic team, receive constructive feedback, and grow with us.
• Willing to think differently, learn quickly, and adapt to a fast‑paced startup environment.
• Excellent written communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity.
• 401(k) plan.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Remote work options.

Oklo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status.