Senior Mechanical Designer - Fuel Recycling

Oklo•Santa Clara, CA

2d•$100,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Oklo is seeking a Mechanical Designer to join its Fuel Recycling Engineering team. This role is responsible for developing detailed mechanical designs, 3D CAD models, fabrication drawings, and prototype hardware for Oklo's novel nuclear fuel recycling technology. The position focuses on translating engineering concepts into practical, manufacturable hardware, working closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers. The ideal candidate enjoys designing hardware that is built, collaborating with fabricators, and iterating designs through hands-on prototyping and testing. The equipment will operate in demanding environments (high-temperature, chemically aggressive, high-radiation) and includes various custom process equipment such as molten salt vessels, furnaces, gloveboxes, hot cells, tooling, and remote handling equipment.

Requirements

Associate's degree, technical certification, or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Drafting, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience).
5+ years of experience developing detailed mechanical designs and fabrication drawings.
Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks, including complex assemblies, weldments, sheet metal, and drawing creation.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, and mechanical assembly.
Experience creating fabrication drawings with appropriate GD&T, tolerancing, bills of materials, and manufacturing notes.
Demonstrated experience applying Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
Ability to interpret engineering requirements and produce accurate, complete mechanical documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing equipment for radiological or nuclear facilities.
Experience designing gloveboxes, hot cells, shielded equipment, or remote handling systems.
Experience designing high-temperature process equipment, including furnaces or thermal processing systems operating above 500 °C.
Experience with molten salt systems, vacuum systems, or corrosive chemical processing equipment.
Experience producing large weldments, pressure-containing assemblies, or custom process vessels.
Familiarity with ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards and industrial drafting best practices.
Experience using PDM/PLM systems for CAD and document management.
Experience supporting rapid prototyping and iterative hardware development.
Experience collaborating directly with machine shops, fabrication vendors, and equipment installers.
Experience in commercial or governmental nuclear projects.

Responsibilities

Develop detailed 3D CAD models and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks.
Produce fabrication, assembly, weldment, machining, and installation drawings suitable for manufacturing and procurement.
Translate engineering concepts into manufacturable mechanical designs with strong attention to detail.
Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout the design process.
Collaborate closely with engineers, machinists, welders, and fabrication vendors to optimize designs for manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance.
Develop custom mechanical assemblies, fixtures, tooling, furnace components, vessels, and supporting process equipment.
Support prototype fabrication by responding to shop questions, incorporating manufacturing feedback, and revising drawings as designs evolve.
Maintain engineering documentation including bills of materials, drawing revisions, and controlled CAD files.
Participate in design reviews and contribute practical fabrication and assembly recommendations.
Assist with prototype assembly, equipment integration, and iterative design improvements based on testing and operational feedback.
Help develop CAD standards, drawing templates, and design best practices that improve consistency across the engineering organization.