Mechanical Design Engineer - Fuel Manufacturing
$100,000–$150,000 year
RemoteIdaho, United States or Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States
Job Summary
Develop and own equipment and mechanical component designs for Oklo's fuel fabrication facilities, translating functional requirements into robust CAD models and 2D drawings. Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering teams and vendors to define design specifications, conduct manufacturability reviews, and coordinate thermal, structural, and safety analyses. Generate detailed documentation, including bills of materials and design rationales, while managing engagements with consultants to ensure ASME code compliance and design maturity. Perform rigorous design evaluations to identify deficiencies and implement solutions that meet demanding performance and regulatory standards. This role requires a strong background in mechanical design within high-integrity sectors and proficiency in 3D CAD and PDM/PLM tools.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
- 5-10 years of experience, with 4+ years of industry experience in mechanical or structural design within sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, or industrial equipment
- Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software (e.g., SolidWorks), including part modeling, large assemblies, and detailed drawings
- Experience with CAD version control using PDM/PLM tools (e.g., SolidWorks PDM, Teamcenter, Windchill)
- Solid understanding of mechanical design principles, including DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFA (Design for Assembly), and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Ability to interpret and produce engineering drawings that apply GD&T in line with ASME Y14.5 or similar standards
- Working knowledge of material selection (particularly metals), manufacturing methods, and fabrication techniques
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams, integrating feedback from analysis, manufacturing, and systems engineering
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and present engineering work
- Comfortable working with external manufacturers and engineering consultants for fabrication and analysis support
- This can be a remote role, with preference to candidates local to Idaho Falls, ID
- About Oklo travel requirements: Oklo requires remote employees to travel to headquarters (Santa Clara, CA) twice a quarter annually, based on business or team needs, including attendance at team meetings, off-sites, and other company events or gatherings.
- Candidates should be aware that employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a drug screening, and employees may be subject to drug testing at any time in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience designing large structural weldments and mechanical joints
- Background in designing components for high-integrity or safety-critical systems (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, defense, or heavy industry)
- Proven ability to lead hardware projects through the full development cycle—from concept and design to testing and production
- Knowledge of large scale fabrication techniques and transportation/handling of large components
- Understanding of thermal-mechanical analysis principles, with experience designing for high-temperature environments
- Basic knowledge of nuclear fission and radiation effects on materials and components
- Exposure to simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS) and scripting languages (e.g., Python) is a plus
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