Mechatronics Engineer

Oklo•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

Oklo is seeking a Mechatronics Engineer to join its nuclear fuel recycling engineering team. The role designs automated systems and robotic material-handling equipment for remotely operated processes in radiological hot cells at the Oklo Fuel Recycling Facility. Day-to-day work includes system design, CAD modeling, requirements generation, prototyping, and integrating improvements into systems. The engineer works closely with teams in facility design, chemical engineering, pyroprocessing, instrumentation and controls, software engineering, process modeling, quality assurance, and licensing. Candidates in the Oak Ridge, Tennessee area are strongly preferred. The position spans the lifecycle of automated and handling systems, from architecture and specifications through fabrication, commissioning, operation, and maintenance. It includes designing for challenging environments such as high temperatures, corrosion, and radiation; integrating hardware, sensors, and controls; building and testing prototypes; and preparing technical documentation for regulatory filings and internal use. Oklo describes its work environment as a fast-paced, highly iterative startup. Remote employees are required to travel to headquarters in Santa Clara, California, twice per quarter annually as business or team needs require. Employees must also work in person at headquarters during the first two weeks of onboarding. Compensation is $100,000–$195,000, determined in part by experience. The position is intended to be filled immediately.

Requirements

Education in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
5 to 10 years of experience with automation or robotic system design.
Hands-on experience with PLCs, industrial automation, and robotics programming.
Expert proficiency with CAD software, preferably Solidworks.
Broad familiarity with engineering principles and strong systems integration intuition.
Clear technical writing and collaborative communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with robotic arms, conveyors, or other automated handling systems.
Experience designing for remote or hazardous environments.
Experience with radiological hot cell environments.
Experience designing equipment for high temperatures above 500 °C.
Knowledge of GD&T and design for manufacturing.
Experience with simulation tools such as ANSYS, ROS, or MATLAB/Simulink.
Background in nuclear, petrochemical, or pharmaceutical industries involving automated systems.
Experience deploying or working on pilot plants or unmanned manufacturing systems.
Located near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Responsibilities

Design robotic and electromechanical systems for remote material handling in high-temperature, high-corrosion, and high-radiation environments.
Define architecture, specifications, control logic, and performance criteria for automated material-handling and process systems.
Integrate automation hardware, sensors, and control systems to enable reliable unmanned operations.
Serve as technical lead for automation and handling systems throughout their lifecycle.
Develop documentation to guide fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of automated equipment.
Generate technical documentation for regulatory filings and internal knowledge capture.
Build, test, and iterate on prototypes for automation and handling subsystems.
Write clear, concise reports and communicate results across disciplines.