Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a passionate, highly analytical, and detail-oriented Engineering Technician to join our engineering team.

Position Description

The Engineering Technician on the mechanical prototyping team will partner with mechanical prototype engineers to fabricate, assemble, test, and deploy one-off prototypes, tools, fixtures, and jigs. They will translate sketches/CAD and verbal direction into high-quality parts and assemblies, keep the shop safe, clean, and organized. They will spend time between fabrication, assembly, test setup, instrumentation, and data capture. Work ranges from sourcing parts and coordinating with vendors to building fixtures, executing test campaigns, and documenting results.

Specific responsibilities may include:

Fabricate, assemble, and iterate one-off prototypes, tools, fixtures, and jigs from sketches, CAD, and verbal direction
Interpret drawings, tolerances, and build notes
Prepare stock—cut, drill, tap, and fit parts using common shop tools; operate basic machine tools (saws, grinders, drills, manual mill/lathe)
Perform light welding as skill allows (MIG/TIG preferred); assist experienced welders as needed
Set up and execute mechanical tests (load, pressure, thermal, vibration, fit/function), including fixture build and instrumentation
Install and calibrate sensors
Collect, record, and organize test data; capture photos/notes; contribute to concise test summaries
Troubleshoot build and test issues; perform root-cause checks and implement quick, pragmatic fixes
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized shop (5S experience a plus); manage waste streams and enforce PPE and safety procedures
Perform basic preventive maintenance on shop equipment; log issues and coordinate repairs
Kit builds: pull hardware and materials, label components, and maintain build travelers
Handle parts procurement: source COTS hardware and materials, request quotes, place orders, and track deliveries
Receive and inspect incoming parts; verify dimensions and finish against drawings; escalate nonconformance issues
Manage inventory of consumables, fasteners, gases, and tooling; keep bins stocked and labeled
Create and update build documentation: redlines, as-built notes, BOM updates, and simple work instructions
Coordinate with prototype engineers and vendors for quick-turn machining, welding, coatings, and other services
Uphold quality standards and dimensional control using calipers, micrometers, gauges where applicable

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma
3+ years hands-on mechanical fabrication/assembly experience or equivalent training/portfolio (trade school, military, etc.)
Proficient with basic shop operations: cut/drill/tap/; confident using common hand/power tools safely
Can read mechanical drawings and build notes; understands basic tolerances and fit; uses calipers/mics/gauges accurately
Familiar with shop safety, PPE, and housekeeping (5S); aware of machine guarding and LOTO basics
Comfortable setting up simple test rigs and recording data in spreadsheets; willing to learn instrumentation/DAQ
Basic computer skills: spreadsheets/docs, file management; ability to use CAD viewers
Organized and reliable: follow work instructions, document builds, track parts/kits
Strong communication and teamwork; asks clarifying questions and closes loops
Able to lift up to ~50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and perform shop/fab tasks with or without reasonable accommodation
Willing to support occasional off-hours work or local field/onsite deployments as needed
Valid driver’s license

Bonus Qualifications:

AA/BS in manufacturing/industrial tech, engineering technology, or similar
Prior experience in a prototype/R&D “special projects” or skunkworks environment
Manual and CNC machining (mill/lathe); basic CAM (Fusion 360, Mastercam) and workholding experience
Sheet metal, tube bending, and fabrication (laser/waterjet, press brake, fixture design)
Test & instrumentation depth: strain gauges, load cells, thermocouples, pressure transducers; NI/LabVIEW or equivalent DAQ
Basic electrical/controls: wiring panels to schematics, relays/sensors, PLC familiarity, safe low-voltage practices
Materials know-how: heat treat, coatings/plating, adhesives, composites, plastics
Additive manufacturing (FDM/SLA/SLS) for quick-turn jigs and fixtures
Quality systems exposure (ISO 9001/AS9100)
Rigging & material handling: forklift/overhead crane experience; basic load calculation

Competencies

We are looking for an Engineering Technician that is:

Mechanical aptitude & print literacy: read sketches/CAD, familiarity with basic tolerancing (GD&T a plus)
Fabrication fundamentals: cut/drill/tap, fasteners and thread standards, basic hand and power tool use
Machining basics: manual mill/lathe setup preferred, work holding, feeds/speeds; CNC familiarity a bonus
Welding fundamentals: MIG/TIG prep, fit-up, distortion control; ability to assist certified welders
Metrology & quality: calipers/mics/gauges
Troubleshooting & root cause: systematic isolation of mechanical/test issues, quick corrective actions
Shop safety: PPE, machine guarding, housekeeping and organization
Materials & processes: common metals/plastics/composites, fastener selection, adhesives, coatings
Procurement & vendor coordination: source COTS parts, request quotes, place/track orders, quick-turn job shops
Data literacy: record test data, maintain spreadsheets, create clear summaries/plots for engineers
Equipment care: basic preventive maintenance, issue logging, safe use of lifting/rigging (forklift/overhead crane)
Communication & teamwork: clear handoffs, ask good questions, partner tightly with prototype engineers and vendors
Time management & adaptability: juggle shifting priorities, context-switch smoothly, deliver fast, reliable turns
Continuous improvement mindset: suggest DFM/testability tweaks, improve fixtures, tools, and shop workflows

Who you are:

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. If you prefer the culture and feel of a large organization, that is great, but you likely won’t enjoy working with us! There is plenty of important work and plenty of good opportunities with organizations like that.

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. This isn’t about a fake or arbitrary “pieces of flair” mentality or lack of work-life balance! It is about being a part of the vision and feeling a part of reaching team goals.

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.

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.

About Oklo compensation:

Salary: $60,000-$120,000

Salary may fall outside of the range provided and will be dependent on applicant experience.

Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, competitive pay, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits.

About Oklo Inc.: 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.

#CHOP: Oklo’s Values
Collaboration: We go further, together. We bring diverse perspectives, listen actively, and build trust through transparency and respect. We work across disciplines, sharing ownership to turn complex challenges into shared successes.
Humility: We are team players who act for the good of the company and for the world. We are focused on our mission, not personal recognition.
Ownership: We take pride in what we do and how we do it. We are proactive in finding solutions and see tasks through to completion. We are committed to delivering on our promises to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
Pathfinding: We chart new ground where no path exists by approaching challenges with curiosity, courage, and creativity while navigating ambiguity.

Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer

Oklo is aware of recent recruitment fraud attempts targeting job seekers. Please be cautious of anyone claiming to represent Oklo who does not contact you from an official Oklo email address.

All legitimate communications from our recruiting team— including application updates, interview requests, and job offers — will come exclusively from an Oklo email. Oklo will never ask for sensitive personal information, payments, or account credentials during the hiring process.

If you receive suspicious outreach or have concerns about the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from Oklo, please contact us through the official channels listed on our website.