Mechatronics Engineer

Oklo•Santa Clara, CA

19d•$100,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Mechatronics Engineer to join our nuclear fuel recycling engineering team. Position Description The mechatronics engineer is responsible for designing automated systems and robotic material-handling equipment for remote-operated processes in radiological hot cells for the Oklo Fuel Recycling Facility. Day-to-day activities will include system design, CAD modeling, requirements generation, and eventual prototyping and integration of augmentation into various systems. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams including facility design, chemical engineering, pyroprocessing, instrumentation and controls, software engineering, process modeling, quality assurance, and licensing. Competencies We are looking for a Mechatronics Engineer who is Passionate about clean energy and advanced fission Proficient in 2D/3D modeling and CAD for mechanical and robotic systems Experienced with electromechanical systems, controls, and automation integration Energized by prototyping and deploying real-world hardware Creative and persistent when tackling novel engineering challenges Comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment A strong communicator, both in technical writing and in collaborative discussions Who you are: 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.

Requirements

Engineering education in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or related discipline
5 to 10 years' experience with automation or robotic system design
Expert proficiency with CAD software
Broad familiarity with engineering principles and strong systems integration intuition

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 with high-temperature (>500 °C) equipment design
Familiarity with PLCs, industrial automation, and robotics programming
Knowledge of GD&T and design for manufacturing
Experience with simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, ROS, MATLAB/Simulink)
Background in nuclear, petrochemical, or pharmaceutical industries with automated systems
Experience deploying or working on pilot plants or unmanned manufacturing systems

Responsibilities

Designing robotic and electromechanical systems for remote handling of materials in high-temperature, high corrosion, and high-radiation environments
Defining architecture, specifications, control logic, and performance criteria for automated material-handling and process systems
Integrating automation hardware, sensors, and control systems for reliable unmanned operations
Serving as technical lead for automation and handling systems across their lifecycle
Developing documentation to guide fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of automated equipment
Generating technical documentation for regulatory filings and internal knowledge capture
Building, testing, and iterating on prototypes for automation and handling subsystems
Writing clear, concise reports and communicating results across disciplines