Process Engineer, Isotopes

Oklo•Santa Clara, CA

10d•$130,000 - $200,000•Remote

About The Position

Process Engineers at Oklo are responsible for the design, engineering analyses, systems engineering, specifications development, and operations of the fluids and power process systems used in Oklo’s power plants and isotope production programs. For the Isotopes team, this role will support process systems related to isotope production, recovery, separation, purification, and handling, with an emphasis on developing safe, reliable, and scalable production processes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, nuclear, radiological, materials, aerospace, petroleum, or a related engineering discipline.
5+ years of experience designing, analyzing, or modifying fluid, thermal, or process systems and equipment in nuclear, radiopharmaceutical, isotope production, or related industries.
Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals, systems design and integration, equipment interfaces, and process system operation.
Ability to apply process engineering fundamentals to systems involving radioactive materials, chemical separations, gas/liquid handling, thermal management, contamination control, and product quality requirements

Nice To Haves

Experience in nuclear, isotope production, radiopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, or related industry.
Experience with off-gas, ventilation, filtration, vacuum, inert-gas, or controlled atmosphere systems.
Familiarity with isotope production, radiochemical processing, radiation protection, shielding, contamination control, or ALARA.
Experience with process prototyping, commissioning, equipment testing, or system ownership.

Responsibilities

Design fluid and process systems including: piping, valves, compressors, pumps, and heat exchangers for isotope production, recovery, purification, and supporting process systems
Define process equipment architecture, specifications, operational modes, and performance criteria
Design, assemble, and operate prototypes to use for iterative design refinement, including bench-scale or pilot-scale process demonstrations
Generate documentation guiding the system layout, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of process equipment with consideration for contamination control, radiological controls, and safe operation
Serve as process system owner for assigned systems, maintaining their design basis, configuration, and performance throughout the lifecycle
Prepare technical documentation supporting regulatory filings, safety analyses, and isotope production operations.
Work with external vendors on process equipment analysis, procurement, and testing
Develop and maintain process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, mass and energy balances, equipment specifications, and operating envelopes for isotope production systems
Support isotope product requirements, including yield, purity, traceability, and contamination limits
Conduct process hazard analyses and implement risk reduction measures addressing equipment and process failure modes, chemical hazards, criticality interfaces, radiological hazards, and abnormal operating conditions