Mechanical Analyst Engineer

Oklo•Santa Clara, CA

3d•$90,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a passionate, highly analytical, and detail-oriented Mechanical Analyst Engineer to join our engineering team. Mechanical Analyst Engineers at Oklo are responsible for the analysis of mechanical components as part of the power plant design. This role is ideal for a mechanical engineer who thrives on solving complex problems through first-principles thinking, rapid iteration hand calculations, and finite element analysis (FEA) when the project requires. You will play a critical role in the progression and optimization of mechanical designs, working closely with design, manufacturing, and testing teams as well as coordinating with external vendors for additional analysis support. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong foundation in fundamental mechanics and strength of materials, with additional expertise in areas such as dynamics, creep, fatigue, and heat transfer. A key aspect of this role includes producing clear, traceable, and reviewable documentation of analytical work, and using your results to recommend design changes or other next steps. You will also contribute to the development and maintenance of in-house analysis methodologies and best practices to support consistency, scalability, and knowledge sharing across the engineering team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or higher degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., mechanical, aerospace, materials)
4+ years of industry experience performing mechanical or structural analysis within sectors such as energy, aerospace, automotive, defense, industrial machinery, or advanced manufacturing
Proven experience in structural analysis using FEA tools (e.g., Ansys, Abaqus, COMSOL)
Demonstrated ability to write comprehensive technical documentation and reports
Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary engineering environment
Passionate about advancing clean energy technologies, with a strong belief in the potential of next-generation fission
Well-versed in structural mechanics, design principles, and analytical methods—across both simulation and practical applications
Eager to contribute to a high-performing engineering team, open to feedback, and committed to continuous technical growth
Quick to learn and unafraid to question assumptions—ready to explore unconventional approaches to complex challenges
Comfortable navigating the pace, ambiguity, and evolution of an innovative startup environment
Brings a thoughtful, systems-level perspective to mechanical problems—balancing creativity, rigor, and first-principles thinking
Communicates technical analyses clearly and concisely, with strong writing skills and a modern, active voice
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.

Nice To Haves

Master's or PhD in engineering
Strong programming skills for automating analysis workflows—preferably Python, with good software development practices
Familiarity with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Section III, Division 1 or 5
Section VIII, Division 2
Nuclear-specific code cases
Experience developing and managing product requirements and associated test and verification plans
Familiarity with configuration management and version control systems (e.g., Git, SVN, etc.)

Responsibilities

Perform rigorous mechanical analyses across all levels of fidelity, from hand calculations and textbook formulas to highly detailed Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Evaluate structural performance for stress, creep, fatigue, vibration, temperature limits, and other failure modes
Interpret and apply relevant engineering standards and codes (e.g., ASME, ASCE, AISC) to establish appropriate design limits and acceptance criteria
Develop clear, concise, and technically sound documentation of engineering methodologies, analysis results, and design justifications
Summarize mechanical analysis results in written documents and presentation slides, translating complex data into concise summaries of key findings (e.g., peak stresses, safety margins) and actionable design revision recommendations, and present those results to management and various stakeholders
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering to drive design decisions and ensure robust product development
Support the creation and refinement of product requirements
Plan and execute validation and verification activities, including designing and overseeing physical test programs to validate engineering assumptions and design requirements