Oklo Inc. is advancing the future of clean, reliable, and affordable energy through advanced fission technology. The Facilities Design Engineer will act as an owner’s engineer, providing technical oversight for contract engineering firms developing HVAC and fire protection systems for nuclear fuel-cycle facilities. This role ensures designs meet nuclear safety standards, support radiological confinement, and comply with applicable codes and QA requirements.
What You'll Do
- Oversee and review HVAC and fire protection designs developed by external engineering firms for fuel-cycle facilities (hot cells, gloveboxes, UF₆ processes, radiological labs)
- Verify contractor deliverables—including drawings, calculations, specifications, and analyses—for technical accuracy, code compliance, and alignment with the facility safety basis
- Ensure contractor adherence to NQA-1, configuration control, design verification, and nuclear QA documentation requirements
- Evaluate design approaches for pressure cascades, confinement ventilation, HEPA filtration, exhaust/airflow management, and hazard-classified fire protection systems
- Provide clear technical direction, comments, and resolution guidance to contractors and ensure timely incorporation of design changes
- Coordinate between internal stakeholders (safety basis, operations, QA, procurement, I&C, electrical) and contract engineering firms to maintain design integration
- Participate in design reviews, readiness assessments, and constructability evaluations as the facility’s technical authority
- Communicate with contractors, project managers, and internal stakeholders effectively and professionally
- Document decisions, design basis changes, and comment resolutions accurately for audit-ready traceability
- Maintain oversight of multiple contractor design packages, comment cycles, and submittals
- Track deadlines, milestones, design maturity, and revision control
- Provide clear, actionable feedback to external firms while maintaining schedule, quality, and scope alignment
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s or higher degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear Engineering or a related engineering discipline
- 5+ years of HVAC and/or fire protection design experience in fuel-cycle, nuclear, or highly regulated industrial facilities is highly preferred
- Experience reviewing and overseeing work performed by external engineering or A/E design firms
- Strong understanding of radiological confinement ventilation, HEPA filtration, glovebox/hot cell exhaust, and hazard-classified fire protection systems
- Knowledge of NFPA, ASHRAE, IMC/IFC, DOE/NRC regulations, and NQA-1 quality requirements
- Proven ability to function in a collaborative team environment on projects through the full development cycle—from concept and design to testing and production
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and present engineering work
- Comfortable working with external manufacturers and engineering consultants
- Demonstrates strong commitment to nuclear safety, radiological protection, and conservative decision-making
- Has a deep knowledge of confinement ventilation, HEPA filtration, pressure cascading, glovebox and hot-cell exhaust, and off-gas systems
- Has a strong understanding of hazard-classified fire protection systems, clean-agent suppression, detection/alarm systems, and NFPA requirements
- Is able to evaluate engineering calculations, design criteria, and system-level integration for accuracy and intent
- Is skilled at interpreting, reviewing, and guiding contractor design work
- Ensures timely closure of comments, design issues, and technical discrepancies
- Is capable of diplomatically enforcing requirements while maintaining productive vendor relationships
- Ensures contractor deliverables comply with: NFPA (13, 20, 30, 72, 801, 805, 2001), ASHRAE standards, IMC / IFC, NRC or DOE requirements (e.g., DOE O 420.1C)
- Has the ability to identify gaps, deviations, or risks in contractor adherence to requirements
- Is skilled at dissecting drawings, calculations, and specifications to spot inconsistencies or technical deficiencies
- Ensures HVAC and fire protection designs integrate with electrical, I&C, structural, safety analysis, and facility operations
- Produces clear, concise, and directive design review comments and technical memos
- Identifies risks and technical issues related to safety basis impacts, code interpretation, equipment selection, operability, maintainability, and construction constraints early and can propose mitigation strategies to maintain safety, schedule and quality
- Is an experienced team player who can work effectively across both internal resources and external suppliers
- Is passionate about clean energy
- Is an optimist at heart
- Is passionate about making advanced fission a reality
- Is willing and able to learn quickly
- Is willing to think differently and do things in new ways
- Can be comfortable in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment
- Is excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving while not leaning only on what has been done before
- Will be willing to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problems
- Is an excellent writer who can write in a modern active voice, so make your cover letter compelling and write it well!
- Is able to communicate technical content and results verbally
Nice to Have
- Experience with advanced reactor technologies (e.g., microreactors, fast reactors, SMRs)
- Familiarity with regulatory processes (NRC, DOE, ASME code compliance)
- Familiarity with nuclear QA requirements (NQA-1 or equivalent)
- Exposure to vendor qualification, commercial-grade dedication, or nuclear-grade procurement
- Prior owner’s-engineer or design oversight role in nuclear or process facilities
- Experience with DOE O 420.1C, safety basis development, fire hazard analyses, and nuclear design interfaces
- Prior involvement in safety analyses, design reviews, or licensing workflows
- Basic knowledge of nuclear fission and radiation effects on materials and components
Technical Stack
- HVAC design
- Fire protection systems
- Radiological confinement ventilation
- HEPA filtration
- Pressure cascading
- Confinement ventilation
- Exhaust/airflow management
- Hazard-classified fire protection systems
- NFPA standards (13, 20, 30, 72, 801, 805, 2001)
- ASHRAE standards
- IMC/IFC
- DOE/NRC regulations
- NQA-1
- Safety basis development
- Fire hazard analyses
- Design verification
- Configuration control
- Nuclear QA documentation
Team & Environment
- Cross-functional team including safety basis, operations, QA, procurement, I&C, electrical, and contract engineering firms
Benefits & Compensation
- Flexible time off
- Equity
- Competitive pay
- 401k
- Health insurance
- FSA
- Flexible work hours
- Travel to headquarters twice a quarter annually for remote employees
- Two-week in-person onboarding at headquarters
Compensation: $115,000–$170,000, equity, flexible time off, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours
Work Mode
- Hybrid role based in Santa Clara, CA
- Remote employees required to travel to headquarters twice a quarter
- Flexible work hours offered
Only applicants who meet the definition of a U.S. person under applicable laws may be eligible due to U.S. export control laws. 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.