Mechatronics Engineer

Oklo Inc. is an advanced nuclear fission technology company developing small, fast fission power plants called Aurora powerhouses, designed to deliver clean, reliable energy directly to customers under long-term power purchase agreements. Beyond power generation, Oklo operates across three interconnected business lines: power generation, nuclear fuel recycling, and production of medical and industrial isotopes, positioning itself as a vertically integrated nuclear energy and materials company. Its reactors are designed to use recycled nuclear fuel, including used fuel and nuclear waste, reducing the need for newly mined uranium and addressing long-standing nuclear waste challenges. The company's mission centers on providing abundant, carbon-free energy to combat climate change while modernizing the nuclear industry through faster deployment timelines, compact reactor designs, and innovative fuel cycles. By recycling nuclear waste into usable fuel, Oklo aims to turn a historical liability of the nuclear industry into a resource, supporting both sustainability goals and energy security. Its isotope production business also supports critical applications in medicine, industry, and scientific research, diversifying its impact beyond electricity generation. Oklo differentiates itself through its compact, fast-spectrum reactor design that can be deployed rapidly (in under a year per site), its direct-to-customer power sales model, and its integrated approach spanning power, fuel, and isotopes. Backed by high-profile investors and leadership, including chairman Sam Altman, Oklo has advanced through regulatory processes with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is pursuing projects across multiple U.S. states, positioning itself as a leader in the next generation of advanced nuclear deployment.

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 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

 

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

 

Competencies

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

 

Who you are:

A startup person: You aren't driven by titles or hierarchy, and prefer efficiency to excess process. You don't need or expect to have a lot of guidance but you enjoy working in a fast-paced team. If you prefer the culture and feel of a large organization, that is great, but you likely won’t enjoy working with us! There is plenty of important work and plenty of good opportunities with organizations like that.

Motivated: You are self-motivated. You bring an enthusiasm to the team, and imbue a sense of passion that goes beyond clocking in and clocking out. This isn’t about a fake or arbitrary “pieces of flair” mentality or lack of work-life balance! It is about being a part of the vision and feeling a part of reaching team goals.

A team-player: Oklo genuinely is a team. We aren’t about taking credit for ourselves, and we aren’t about pushing blame to others. We do incredible things because we work as a team.

An excellent communicator: We need a person who is not only technically competent but also a clear and upbeat communicator.

Creative: Being creative means that when things fall outside clear scopes or processes or problems arise without clear solutions, you are able to identify it as well as invent ways to solve a problem or fill a need without micromanagement. The successful person in this job will not only be creative, but also enjoy being creative and solving open-ended problems which may change day-by-day.

Detail-oriented: This focus is a big part of excellence, consistency, and quality. Excellent grammar and spelling matter for both good communication as well as the image of the company that we put forward.

 

About Oklo travel requirements:

Oklo requires remote employees to travel to headquarters (Santa Clara, CA) twice a quarter annually, based on business or team needs, including attendance at team meetings, off-sites, and other company events or gatherings. For the first two weeks of onboarding, employees are required to be in person at headquarters in Santa Clara, CA.

 

About Oklo compensation: $100,000–$195,000

Salary will be determined on a number of factors, including but not limited to years of experience.

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

We are looking to fill this position immediately!

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About Oklo Inc.: 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.