Mechatronics Engineer

Oklo•Oak Ridge, TN

3h•$100,000 - $195,000

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 remote-operated processes in radiological hot cells at the Oklo Fuel Recycling Facility. Work includes system design, CAD modeling, requirements generation, prototyping, and integration of systems, in collaboration with facility design, chemical engineering, pyroprocessing, instrumentation and controls, software engineering, process modeling, quality assurance, and licensing teams. There is a strong preference for candidates in the Oak Ridge, Tennessee area. The successful candidate will contribute across the lifecycle of automation and material-handling systems, from defining architecture and performance criteria through integration, testing, documentation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance. The position calls for hands-on engineering, clear technical communication, creative problem-solving, and effectiveness in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment. Remote employees are required to travel to Oklo headquarters in Santa Clara, California, twice a quarter annually based on business or team needs. Employees must work in person at headquarters for the first two weeks of onboarding. The position is intended to be filled immediately. Compensation is $100,000–$195,000, determined in part by experience. Employment may be contingent on successful drug screening, and employees may be subject to drug testing under company policy and applicable laws.

Requirements

Engineering 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.
Proficiency in 2D/3D modeling and CAD for mechanical and robotic systems.
Experience with electromechanical systems, controls, and automation integration.
Strong 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 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 with 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 architectures, specifications, control logic, and performance criteria for automated material-handling and process systems.
Integrate automation hardware, sensors, and control systems for reliable unmanned operations.
Serve as technical lead for automation and handling systems across their lifecycle.
Develop documentation for 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.