Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Reactor Module

Position Description

As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at Oklo, you will play a central role in designing the critical hardware that enables our advanced fast reactors to operate safely and reliably. This includes technical ownership of large, multi-component weldments and assemblies that comprise the reactor module within our Aurora powerhouses—ranging from the reactor vessel to various internal support structures and primary coolant flow elements. You will be responsible for advancing these components from conceptual design through detailed design and fabrication readiness, ensuring that every element is engineered for performance, manufacturability, industrial Code compliance, and integration into Oklo’s broader reactor system. Your work will require deep engagement with cross-functional teams including structural analysts, systems engineers, materials experts, and external design and fabrication partners.

This is a high-responsibility role at the heart of our flagship product. Success in this position requires producing quality mechanical solutions in a fast-paced, startup environment where technical excellence and a collaborative mindset are equally valued.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Develop and own the design of complex mechanical components and subsystems within the reactor module
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other engineering teams to define design and functional requirements, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and industry codes standards (e.g., ASME BPVC)
• Use CAD tools to translate functional requirements into robust designs that meet structural, thermal, and integration constraints
• Conduct and participate in design reviews, providing and receiving technical feedback
• Rigorously evaluate mechanical designs to identify deficiencies and proactively propose and implement solutions
• Generate and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and bills of materials using controlled processes in PDM/PLM systems
• Coordinate closely with analysis teams to guide and interpret thermal, structural, fatigue, and safety analyses in support of design validation
• Perform detailed manufacturability reviews, tolerance studies, and DFM/DFA assessments to prepare components for fabrication and assembly
• Create and maintain clear, well-written engineering documentation, including design rationales, functional requirements, reviews of historical designs, and detailed explanations of system architecture and performance
• Work closely with fabrication partners