Fuel Fabrication Manufacturing Engineer

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Manufacturing Engineer to join our Fuel Fabrication Team in Idaho Falls, ID.

Position Description

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for operating equipment – including furnaces, gloveboxes, welding systems, and more – at Oklo’s fuel fabrication prototyping facility in Idaho Falls, ID. You’ll be responsible for operating equipment, developing optimal process recipes for meeting product specifications and efficiency targets, authoring operating and maintenance procedures, collecting and summarizing equipment data, troubleshooting equipment challenges, performing equipment maintenance, and training future technicians on equipment operations. You’ll also be expected to work directly with process engineers, quality personnel, and vendors as needed in order to perform your role and support Oklo’s fuel fabrication needs.

This is a hands on role where technical equipment and shop experience, as well as strong communication skills, are desired.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Operate, monitor, and adjust fuel fabrication equipment – including furnaces, gloveboxes, welding equipment, extrusion presses, lifting devices, etc. – to ensure consistent production output that meets product specifications and performance standards.
• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and repairs on mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot equipment and process issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Develop, document, and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for equipment operation and maintenance.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to optimize equipment settings and process parameters for yield, throughput, and reliability.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends and opportunities for process improvement.
• Assist in the installation, calibration, and qualification of new equipment and process tools.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, equipment performance metrics, and operational adjustments.
• Ensure all work is performed in compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
• Provide training and guidance to other technicians and operators on equipment operation and best practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently lives in or is willing to relocate to Idaho Falls, ID. This is an onsite position in Idaho Falls.
• 2+ years of experience in equipment operation, maintenance, or hands-on manufacturing role
• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification or associate degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial technology preferred.
• Hands on experience with welding, assembly, and equipment operation
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and/or automated control systems.
• Experience with process optimization, data analysis, or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and process documentation.
• Proficiency with tools, test instruments, and computerized maintenance or process monitoring systems.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Able to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and complete hands-on work with technical equipment.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience working within gloveboxes and/or nuclear fuel fabrication
• Experience with equipment controls systems (operation, programming, etc.

Competencies

• Competent with performing equipment operation, installation, and maintenance functions
• Competent with authoring equipment operating and maintenance procedures
• Able to communicate effectively with engineers, vendors, and other team members
• Able to document findings in presentation and report formats
• Passionate about clean energy
• An optimist at heart
• Passionate about making advanced fission a reality
• Willing and able to learn quickly
• Willing to think differently and do things in new ways
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment
• Excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving while not leaning only on what has been done before
• Willing to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problems
• An excellent writer who can write in a modern active voice, so make your cover letter compelling and write it well!
• Able to communicate technical content and results verbally
• Willing to work within a fast-paced production and laboratory environment with moderate exposure to machinery, noise, and chemicals. Personal protective equipment (PPE) required for certain operations.

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.

About Oklo compensation:

Salary: $80,000-$110,000

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.