Hot Cell Design Engineer

About this role

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a radiological Hot Cell Design Engineer to join our dynamic fuel recycling engineering group, which is designing and deploying a modern nuclear fuel recycling facility. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the design and development of one of the most advanced radiological hot cell systems ever.

Position Description:

As a Hot Cell Design Engineer at Oklo, you will help shape a highly specialized, remotely-operable hot cell environment that enables the safe, efficient processing of used nuclear fuel (UNF).

You’ll work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, nuclear, chemical, and controls engineers to integrate critical systems such as shielding, containment, and remote operations into an industrial-scale recycling facility.

Key Responsibilities:

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Lead or support the mechanical and systems design of radiological hot cells used in UNF recycling, including shielding, ventilation, confinement, and remote handling systems

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Define equipment and material layouts, including material transfer pathways and maintenance access strategies

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Work with radiation modeling and safety analysis specialists to develop shielding requirements and establish design constraints

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Integrate robotic and remote handling technologies (e.g., manipulators, cameras, cranes, etc.) into cell design

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Contribute to the structural evaluation of confinement systems, ensuring compliance with fire protection, external hazard, and natural phenomena hazard requirements

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Collaborate with structural, HVAC, instrumentation, and process engineers to ensure seamless integration across all hot cell systems

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Participate in Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEA), hazard analyses, and radiological safety assessments

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Contribute to design reviews, procurement specifications, and installation and commissioning plans

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Support prototyping, testing, and commissioning of hot cell subsystems

Competencies:

We are looking for a Hot Cell Design Engineer that is:

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Passionate about clean energy, fuel recycling, and efficient stewardship of natural resources

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An optimist at heart

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Passionate about making advanced fission a reality

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Willing and able to learn quickly

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Willing to think differently and do things in new ways

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Comfortable in a fast-paced, highly-iterative startup environment

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Excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving while not leaning only on what has been done before

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Willing to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problems

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An excellent writer who can write in a modern active voice (so make your cover letter compelling and write it well!)

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Able to communicate technical content and results verbally