Process Engineer, Isotopes

About the role

Process Engineers at Oklo are responsible for the design, engineering analyses, systems engineering, specifications development, and operations of the fluids and power process systems used in Oklo’s power plants and isotope production programs. For the Isotopes team, this role will support process systems related to isotope production, recovery, separation, purification, and handling, with an emphasis on developing safe, reliable, and scalable production processes.

Responsibilities

• Design fluid and process systems including: piping, valves, compressors, pumps, and heat exchangers for isotope production, recovery, purification, and supporting process systems
• Define process equipment architecture, specifications, operational modes, and performance criteria
• Design, assemble, and operate prototypes to use for iterative design refinement, including bench-scale or pilot-scale process demonstrations
• Generate documentation guiding the system layout, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of process equipment with consideration for contamination control, radiological controls, and safe operation
• Serve as process system owner for assigned systems, maintaining their design basis, configuration, and performance throughout the lifecycle
• Prepare technical documentation supporting regulatory filings, safety analyses, and isotope production operations
• Work with external vendors on process equipment analysis, procurement, and testing
• Develop and maintain process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, mass and energy balances, equipment specifications, and operating envelopes for isotope production systems
• Support isotope product requirements, including yield, purity, traceability, and contamination limits
• Conduct process hazard analyses and implement risk reduction measures addressing equipment and process failure modes, chemical hazards, criticality interfaces, radiological hazards, and abnormal operating conditions

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, nuclear, radiological, materials, aerospace, petroleum, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience designing, analyzing, or modifying fluid, thermal, or process systems and equipment in nuclear, radiopharmaceutical, isotope production, or related industries.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals, systems design and integration, equipment interfaces, and process system operation.
• Ability to apply process engineering fundamentals to systems involving radioactive materials, chemical separations, gas/liquid handling, thermal management, contamination control, and product quality requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nuclear, isotope production, radiopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, or related industry.
• Experience with off-gas, ventilation, filtration, vacuum, inert-gas, or controlled atmosphere systems.
• Familiarity with isotope production, radiochemical processing, radiation protection, shielding, contamination control, or ALARA.
• Experience with process prototyping, commissioning, equipment testing, or system ownership.

Competencies

• Passionate about clean energy, making advanced fission a reality, and building a reliable domestic supply chain for critical isotopes
• Able to balance safety, product quality, throughput, reliability, cost, and schedule in engineering decisions
• Willing and able to learn quickly
• Willing to think differently and do things in new ways
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment
• Excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving while not leaning only on what has been done before
• Willing to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problems
• An excellent writer who can write in a modern active voice
• Able to facilitate discussions on advanced technical subjects with diverse groups and business partners

About Oklo

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.