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Oklo

Mechanical Designer - Fuel Manufacturing

Oklo, Santa Clara, California, us, 95053

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Mechanical Designer - Fuel Manufacturing Santa Clara, CA or Remote

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Mechanical Designer to join our engineering team.

Position3> As a

Mechanical Designer

on Oklo’s Fuel Fabrication team, you’ll transform engineering concepts into precise, manufacturable designs. You’ll tackle high‑impact challenges, designing equipment and mechanical systems that comprise Oklo’s fuel manufacturing facilities. You’ll specialize in CAD modeling, analysis coordination, documentation, and fabrication readiness, spanning concept generation to manufacturable designs that meet demanding performance and regulatory requirements. You’ll optimize every component for production, safety, and compliance. You’ll collaborate closely with engineers, suppliers, and fabricators to turn technical ideas into reality. This role partners closely with the Mechanical Design Engineer, and values technical excellence and a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

Develop and own the design of equipment and mechanical components within Oklo’s fuel fabrication facilities.

Translate ideas into manufacturable components and assemblies.

Support prototype builds, providing design assistance and implementing design feedback.

Collaborate cross‑functionally to define design and functional requirements, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.

Use CAD tools to translate functional requirements into robust designs that meet facility requirements (e.g., operating requirements and space constraints).

Conduct and participate in design reviews, providing and receiving technical feedback.

Rigorously evaluate mechanical designs to identify deficiencies and proactively propose and implement solutions.

Generate and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and bills of materials using controlled processes in PDM/PLM systems.

Perform detailed manufacturability reviews, tolerance studies, and DFM/DFA assessments to prepare components for fabrication and assembly.

Create and maintain clear, well‑written documentation, including design rationales, functional requirements, reviews of historical designs, and detailed explanations of system architecture and performance.

Work closely with fabrication partners to refine designs for cost‑effective and practical production.

Manage engagements with consultants and engineering firms to support high‑fidelity analysis, ASME code compliance, and design maturity advancement.

Contribute to continuous improvement of Oklo’s mechanical design processes, tools, and standards through feedback and development of best practices.

Work closely with the Mechanical Design Engineer to translate functional and analytical requirements into physical designs.

Qualifications

5-10 years of work experience with mechanical or structural design within aerospace, automotive, energy, or industrial equipment.

Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software (e.g., Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks), including part modeling, large assemblies, and detailed drawings.

Experience with CAD version control using PDM/PLM tools (e.g., SolidWorks PDM, Teamcenter, Windchill).

Solid understanding of mechanical design principles, including DFM, DFA, and tolerance stack‑up analysis.

Working knowledge of material selection, manufacturing methods, and fabrication techniques.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate on cross‑functional teams, integrating feedback from analysis, manufacturing, and systems engineering.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Comfortable working with external manufacturers and engineering consultants for fabrication and analysis support.

Bonus Qualifications

Experience designing large structural weldments and mechanical joints.

Background in designing for high‑integrity or safety‑critical systems (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, defense).

Proven ability to lead hardware projects through the full development cycle.

Knowledge of large‑scale fabrication techniques and transportation of large components.

Understanding of thermal‑mechanical analysis principles for high‑temperature environments.

Basic knowledge of nuclear fission and radiation effects on materials.

Exposure to simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS) and scripting languages (e.g., Python).

Who you Are Startup‑mindset:

You thrive in fast‑paced, iteration‑heavy environments and prefer decisions over hierarchy.

Motivated:

Self‑motivated, enthusiastic, and passionate about the vision.

Team player:

Collaborates openly, shares credit, and helps others succeed.

Excellent communicator:

Clear, upbeat communicator with strong written and verbal skills.

Creative and detail‑oriented:

Finds solutions to open problems, enjoys iteration, and maintains high quality.

Remote employees will travel to Santa Clara, CA twice a quarter for team meetings and events.

Benefits Competitive pay, equity, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits.

Application We are looking to fill this position immediately.

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