Hot Cell Design Engineer

As a Hot Cell Design Engineer at Oklo, you will help shape a highly specialized, remotely-operable hot cell environment that enables the safe, efficient processing of used nuclear fuel (UNF). You’ll work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, nuclear, chemical, and controls engineers to integrate critical systems such as shielding, containment, and remote operations into an industrial-scale recycling facility.

Responsibilities

Lead or support the mechanical and systems design of radiological hot cells used in UNF recycling, including shielding, ventilation, confinement, and remote handling systems; Define equipment and material layouts, including material transfer pathways and maintenance access strategies; Work with radiation modeling and safety analysis specialists to develop shielding requirements and establish design constraints; Integrate robotic and remote handling technologies (e.g., manipulators, cameras, cranes, etc.) into cell design; Contribute to the structural evaluation of confinement systems, ensuring compliance with fire protection, external hazard, and natural phenomena hazard requirements; Collaborate with structural, HVAC, instrumentation, and process engineers to ensure seamless integration across all hot cell systems; Participate in Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEA), hazard analyses, and radiological safety assessments; Contribute to design reviews, procurement specifications, and installation and commissioning plans; Support prototyping, testing, and commissioning of hot cell subsystems

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related discipline; 5+ years of experience in radiological facility design, glovebox or hot cell engineering, or radiological material handling; Strong working knowledge of remote handling systems, robotics, or manipulator technologies; Understanding of radiation shielding principles, criticality safety, and radiological protection standards; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Demonstrated ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams and integrate feedback from engineering, licensing, and safety; Strong systems engineering intuition and problem-solving capabilities

Nice to have

Experience with hot cells used in nuclear fuel cycle facilities, isotope production, or defense applications; Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, Inventor) and engineering drawing standards; Knowledge of NRC and/or DOE regulatory requirements and nuclear standards for nuclear facilities; Prior hands-on experience with mockups, prototyping, or commissioning of radiological systems; Experience with vendor coordination, A&E firms, and project management

Benefits

Flexible time off; Equity; Competitive pay; 401k; Health insurance; FSA; Flexible work hours; Other benefits