Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Reactor Module
As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at Oklo, you will be integral to designing the critical hardware that enables our advanced fast reactors to operate safely and reliably. This role involves technical ownership of large, multi-component weldments and assemblies that comprise the reactor module within our Aurora powerhouses, including the reactor vessel, internal support structures, and primary coolant flow elements. You will advance these components from conceptual design through detailed design and fabrication readiness, ensuring performance, manufacturability, industrial code compliance, and integration into Oklo’s broader reactor system. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including structural analysts, systems engineers, materials experts, and external design and fabrication partners, is essential.
Key responsibilities include developing and owning the design of complex mechanical components and subsystems within the reactor module, collaborating cross-functionally to define design and functional requirements, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations and industry codes such as ASME BPVC. You will use CAD tools to translate functional requirements into robust designs that meet structural, thermal, and integration constraints, conduct and participate in design reviews, and rigorously evaluate mechanical designs to identify deficiencies and propose solutions. Additionally, you will generate and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and bills of materials, coordinate closely with analysis teams for design validation, perform manufacturability reviews, and work closely with fabrication partners to refine designs for cost-effective production.
The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, with at least 8 years of industry experience in mechanical or structural design within sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, or industrial equipment. Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software (e.g., Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks) and experience with design control using PDM/PLM tools (e.g., Siemens Teamcenter, SolidWorks PDM, Windchill) are required. A robust understanding of mechanical design principles, including DFM, DFA, and tolerance stack-up analysis, along with the ability to interpret and produce engineering drawings applying GD&T per ASME Y14.5 or similar standards, is essential. Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams are also necessary.
Oklo offers a competitive salary range of $125,000 to $165,000, along with flexible time off, equity, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits. Remote employees are required to travel to headquarters in Santa Clara, CA, twice a quarter, with the first two weeks of onboarding conducted in person at headquarters.
Oklo is a pioneering company developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. Joining our team means contributing to innovative energy solutions and being part of a dynamic, collaborative environment dedicated to making advanced fission a reality.