Operations Engineer

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Operations Engineer to join our team. 

Position Description

Oklo is seeking an Operations Engineer to support development of ConOps and key operational programs that will govern how Oklo’s advanced reactors are operated. This individual will be responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, and executing operations programs, ensuring they are complete, compliant and ready for use in both a licensing and operational context.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Develop ConOps in close coordination with system owners and designers to define how systems will be operated, monitored, and maintained across all operational modes.
• Ensure timely development of operations programs and procedures that support safe, effective plant operations. 
• Lead or support the implementation of operational programs such as conduct of operations, maintenance, and procedure development programs.
• Collaborate across engineering, systems integration, and safety teams to ensure operations strategies are aligned with design intent and regulatory expectations.
• Identify gaps or challenges in operations program development and drive closure through structured planning and coordination.
• Contribute to internal readiness reviews, inspections, and regulatory readiness reviews, assessments, and inspections. 
• Generate and maintain design documentation for ConOps and operations programs, suitable for internal use and licensing submittals.
• Interface with vendors, partners, and cross-functional teams to ensure operational expectations are communicated and integrated early in the design lifecycle.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field.
• Experience developing or managing operations programs in a nuclear or highly regulated industrial environment.
• Strong familiarity with operational program frameworks such as INPO/NEI guidance, NRC regulatory expectations, or DOE equivalents.
• Experience with configuration management, procedure development, or licensing documentation is a strong plus.

Competencies

We are looking for a Operations Engineer who embodies the following qualities: 

• Brings strong operations and systems engineering experience, with a clear understanding of how programs and ConOps shape plant functionality and operator experience.
• Motivated to help bring clean energy to market by building the operational foundation needed to safely and efficiently run Oklo’s reactors.
• Quick to engage with novel systems and regulatory frameworks; comfortable driving clarity in undefined or evolving areas.
• Able to translate complex systems into usable, well-documented operational concepts.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, iterative startup culture that values execution, ownership, and agility over formality. 
• Balances structured documentation and compliance with innovation and practicality in how operations programs are built.
• Focused on developing actionable, effective operations programs and ConOps that integrate with real-world plant behavior.
• Writes clear, concise, and thoughtful documentation—especially for operations and regulatory use. 
• Able to articulate ConOps and operational strategies to technical and non-technical stakeholders alike.

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:

Salary: $100,000-$160,000

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

This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws. Only applicants who meet the definition of a U.S. person under applicable laws may be eligible.

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.