Nuclear Commissioning and Startup Engineer

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Nuclear Commissioning and Startup Engineer to join our Operations Engineering team.Position DescriptionThe Nuclear Commissioning and Startup Engineer supports the planning, coordination, and field execution of commissioning and startup activities for Oklo facilities. This role helps transition systems and facilities from construction through testing, turnover, operational readiness, initial operation, and project completion. This role works directly with Operations, Engineering, Construction, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, vendors, contractors, and other project organizations to ensure systems are properly scoped, tested, documented, accepted, and ready for operation. This engineer develops and reviews commissioning plans, test procedures, system turnover requirements, schedules, resource needs, and readiness criteria and then provides onsite engineering support during execution.During field assignments, the Nuclear Commissioning and Startup Engineer may serve as a system-based commissioning engineer, test engineer, shift test engineer, or field engineering lead. The engineer confirms system and test readiness, supports test teams, monitors plant response and test data, coordinates troubleshooting, resolves deficiencies, and ensures results are properly evaluated and documented.This is a project-deployment role with remote work between field assignments. When assigned to an active commissioning or startup project, the Nuclear Commissioning and Startup Engineer must be prepared to mobilize to the applicable project site for periods lasting several weeks to several months. Upon completion of an assignment, the engineer may return to remote work until mobilized for the next project. The frequency, location, and duration of assignments will vary based on company and project needs.Specific responsibilities may include:Develop and implement commissioning and startup plans, strategies, schedules, system-based work scopes, and execution methodsDefine commissioning boundaries, test objectives, prerequisites, acceptance criteria, required resources, and system turnover requirementsDevelop, review, verify, and maintain preoperational, commissioning, integrated, and startup test proceduresTranslate design requirements, safety requirements, specifications, calculations, vendor information, and system requirements into executable test methods and acceptance criteriaDevelop and maintain commissioning test matrices, requirements-traceability tools, system status records, turnover packages, and test completion documentationSupport systemization and define the structures, systems, components, boundaries, and work packages needed for effective commissioning and turnoverCoordinate construction completion, system walkdowns, punch-list resolution, turnover documentation, and acceptance of systems for testingVerify test prerequisites, plant configuration, test boundaries, equipment status, temporary configurations, instrumentation, personnel, and procedural readiness before test executionParticipate in pre-job briefs, daily coordination meetings, shift turnovers, schedule reviews, and test-readiness reviewsProvide field engineering oversight during commissioning and startup testingMonitor system response and test data in real time and compare observed performance against expected results and acceptance criteriaSupport operators and test directors during system manipulations, integrated testing, startup testing, and other significant plant evolutionsIdentify unexpected conditions, emerging risks, procedure deficiencies, equipment problems, and adverse trends during field activitiesExercise stop-work responsibility when testing cannot be performed safely or within approved requirements and controlsCoordinate troubleshooting among Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Construction, vendors, contractors, and other technical organizationsDocument test deficiencies, open items, nonconformances, corrective actions, retest requirements, and final dispositionsEvaluate test results and prepare or support test reports, completion packages, turnover records, and recommendations for system acceptanceSupport the transition from component-level testing to system testing, integrated plant testing, startup testing, and operational acceptanceCoordinate vendor and contractor testing and ensure activities are aligned with Oklo requirements, facility configuration, work controls, and project schedulesSupport development and implementation of work-control, tagging, lockout/tagout, foreign-material-exclusion, configuration-control, and equipment-status-control practices needed during commissioningParticipate in operational-readiness reviews, management assessments, inspections, audits, and resolution of readiness findingsProvide input to operating procedures, maintenance procedures, training materials, system descriptions, and operational programs based on commissioning and startup experienceCapture lessons learned and use field experience to improve future test procedures, commissioning methods, plant designs, and repeatable deployment practicesSupport multiple Oklo projects and facilities as priorities, schedules, and project phases evolveQualify as an Oklo plant operator or complete other assigned technical qualifications, as applicableMaintain awareness of fast-reactor design, commissioning methods, operating experience, testing practices, and relevant industry developmentsMinimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in nuclear, mechanical, electrical, chemical, or another relevant engineering or technical discipline; equivalent directly applicable nuclear, commissioning, or operational experience may be considered in lieu of a degree5+ years of experience in commissioning and startup, nuclear operations, system testing, field engineering, power generation, naval nuclear propulsion, national laboratory operations, construction completion, or another highly regulated technical environmentHands-on field experience supporting the testing, commissioning, startup, operation, maintenance, or troubleshooting of complex mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, or process systemsExperience developing, reviewing, or executing technical test procedures, commissioning procedures, operating procedures, or similar controlled work instructionsExperience translating design requirements, specifications, calculations, safety requirements, or vendor information into executable tests and acceptance criteriaExperience reading and interpreting technical documents such as piping and instrumentation diagrams, electrical single-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, control narratives, system descriptions, specifications, calculations, and vendor manualsWorking knowledge of system turnover, configuration control, work control, equipment status, test boundaries, and safe field executionAbility to evaluate system performance, interpret test data, identify abnormal conditions, and coordinate technical problem-solving in the fieldDemonstrated ability to work across Operations, Engineering, Construction, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, vendors, and contractorsAbility and willingness to mobilize to project sites for extended assignments lasting several weeks to several monthsAbility to work shifts, extended hours, nights, weekends, or holidays as required during commissioning and startup activitiesAbility to travel to Oklo facilities, national laboratories, vendor facilities, and other project locations as business needs requireAbility to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities, if requiredBonus Qualifications:Experience commissioning or starting up a nuclear facility, power plant, first-of-a-kind industrial facility, research reactor, microreactor, or Department of Energy nuclear facilityExperience as a reactor operator, senior reactor operator, shift technical advisor, test engineer, system operator, engineering watchstander, or other nuclear facility operatorCurrent or previous NRC Reactor Operator or Senior Reactor Operator license or certificationRelevant qualification through the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, such as Engineering Officer of the Watch, Propulsion Plant Watch Officer, or Engineering Watch SupervisorExperience with sodium-cooled fast reactors, liquid-metal systems, fast-reactor technology, or sodium-system testingExperience with steam plants, heat-transport systems, electrical distribution, instrumentation and controls, digital control systems, or balance-of-plant systemsExperience with systemization, construction completion, walkdowns, punch lists, turnover packages, completions-management software, or system acceptanceExperience developing or executing preoperational, integrated, startup, surveillance, or acceptance testingExperience serving as a commissioning engineer, startup engineer, test engineer, shift test engineer, test director, or system-based commissioning leadExperience supporting joint test groups, test-review boards, readiness reviews, or other formal test-governance organizationsExperience overseeing vendor or contractor testing and coordinating multi-organization field activitiesExperience with troubleshooting, root-cause evaluation, corrective-action programs, nonconformance resolution, or retestingExperience implementing work control, tagging, lockout/tagout, foreign-material-exclusion, configuration-control, or equipment-status-control programsFamiliarity with applicable NRC requirements, Department of Energy requirements, industry standards, and nuclear safety and quality-assurance programsExperience with field data collection, test instrumentation, data trending, test-result evaluation, and technical report preparationExperience working with regulators, national laboratories, construction contractors, vendors, customers, or other external technical stakeholdersCompetenciesWe are looking for a Nuclear Commissioning and Startup Engineer who is:Field-oriented and comfortable working directly with equipment, operators, technicians, contractors, and test teamsA systems thinker who understands how individual components and systems interact as an integrated facilityAble to convert design requirements and technical information into safe, practical, and executable field activitiesDisciplined in confirming prerequisites, boundaries, plant configuration, procedural compliance, and acceptance criteriaCalm and methodical when responding to unexpected test results, equipment problems, changing conditions, and schedule pressureWilling to stop work, ask questions, and resolve uncertainty before proceedingTechnically rigorous while remaining practical and focused on safe execution and project completionComfortable moving between planning, procedure development, field execution, troubleshooting, data evaluation, and final documentationAble to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and maintain clear communication during complex or high-risk activitiesPrepared to live and work near project sites for extended periods while supporting major commissioning and startup campaignsAble to adapt between intensive field assignments and remote planning work as project needs evolvePassionate about clean energyAn optimist at heartPassionate about making advanced fission a realityWilling and able to learn quicklyWilling to think differently and do things in new waysComfortable in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environmentExcited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving while not leaning only on what has been done beforeWilling to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problemsAn excellent writer who can write in a modern active voice, so make your cover letter compelling and write it well!Able to communicate technical content and results verballyWho 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. For the first two weeks of onboarding, employees are required to be in person at headquarters in Santa Clara, CA. About Oklo compensation:Salary: $135,000-$185,000Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, bonuses, competitive pay, 401(k), health insurance (with employer contribution), HSA, FSA, flexible work hours, wellness credits, and other benefits.This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws. Only applicants who meet the definition of a U.S. person under applicable laws may be eligible.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. 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.Recruitment Fraud DisclaimerOklo 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.com 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.