Hardware Test Engineer

Onsite position in Idaho Falls, travel up to 10%.

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Hardware Test Engineer to join our team.

Position Description
Oklo is transforming the future of energy, and we’re looking for a Hardware Test Engineer with 4+ years of dedicated experience in testing within regulated industries. In this role, you will develop, execute, and manage test projects—specializing in thermo-hydraulic, materials, and/or mechanical testing—to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. You’ll join a dynamic team where precision meets innovation, shaping testing methodologies that drive towards cheap, abundant, clean energy.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Test Plan Development: Craft detailed and comprehensive test plans that outline protocols for thermo-hydraulic and sodium testing, ensuring alignment with applicable quality standards.

• Test Execution: Conduct hands-on testing by setting up experiments, monitoring progress, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring tests are executed efficiently and accurately.

• Reporting & Analysis: Compile, analyze, and communicate test data through clear, concise reports that pinpoint performance outcomes, identify potential risks, and offer actionable insights.

• Procurement Activities: Manage test procurement processes—coordinate with suppliers and oversee tool, equipment, and material sourcing—to ensure project requirements are met.

• Project Management: Oversee testing projects from initiation to completion, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to maintain project timelines, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Competencies

• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in thermo-hydraulic, materials, and/or mechanical testing methodologies, including setup, data collection, and analysis, ensuring robust and reliable outcomes.

• Passion: Passionate about clean energy and making advanced fission a reality

• Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Exceptional attention to detail with a strong analytical mindset; capable of deciphering complex data and transforming it into clear insights.

• Regulatory Acumen: Deep understanding of regulatory requirements in highly controlled industries, particularly the nuclear or aerospace industries, ensuring all testing and reporting meet or exceed quality standards.

• Project Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; strong organizational skills with the capacity to lead test activities and coordinate effectively with various teams.

• Effective Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of producing detailed reports and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to drive project success.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field, such as nuclear, mechanical, or aerospace engineering.

• At least 4 years of hands-on test engineering experience, preferably in a highly regulated industry environment.

• Ability to lift, move, and position objects up to 30 lbs in all direction

• A driver's license and ability to operate motor vehicles and machinery

Bonus Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering

• Proven expertise in thermo-hydraulic, materials, and/or mechanical testing, with a strong foundation in designing and executing test plans.

• Proficiency in instrumentation, data acquisition, and control methods

• Familiarity with NQA-1 test control requirements

• Experience managing end-to-end test projects, including overseeing test procurement, coordinating cross-functional teams, and meeting stringent regulatory requirements.

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: $90,000 - $150,000

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.

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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.