Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Oklo•Santa Clara, CA

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

A Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer at Oklo is responsible for performing criticality safety evaluations, developing the nuclear criticality safety basis, and architecting the nuclear criticality safety program for a first-of-a-kind used nuclear fuel recycling facility. Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy. Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.

Requirements

Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or chemistry, or related field
Minimum 5+ years experience performing CSEs as a part of a nuclear facility’s safety basis
Knowledge of nuclear science, physics of criticality, and chemistry
Knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle processes and nuclear fuel cycle facility accident scenarios
Proficient with Attila4MC, MCNP, SCALE, and/or Serpent codes and modules
Familiarity with critical experiments and their purpose
Knowledge of criticality-specific codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and industry practices for nuclear fuel cycle facilities
Familiarity with NUREG-1513, NUREG-1520, NUREG/CR-6410, NUREG/CR-6698, NUREG/CR-7311, and NRC RG 3.71
Passionate about clean energy and making advanced fission a reality
Knowledgeable about structural design, analysis, and construction
Eager to work on a dynamic team, receive constructive feedback, and grow with us
Willing to think differently and learn quickly
Comfortable in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment
Excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving, while not leaning only on what has been done before
An excellent writer who can communicate technical concepts in modern active voice
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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of used nuclear fuel recycling technologies
10+ years of experience performing criticality safety evaluations for an NRC licensed fuel cycle facility

Responsibilities

Identifying and evaluating nuclear criticality safety (NCS) hazards for fuel cycle facilities
Performing criticality safety evaluations (CSEs) to demonstrate subcriticality under normal and credible abnormal conditions
Developing the criticality code validation report
Demonstrating compliance with the double-contingency principle
Documenting criticality hazard analyses, CSEs, and supporting technical information
Evaluating and implementing controlled parameters for the NCS program
Developing the criticality accident alarm system and inadvertent criticality emergency response plan
Supporting safety basis development and licensing efforts
Developing and administering the NCS program, methodologies, and management measures