Process Engineer, Isotopes Santa Clara, CA or Remote

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

Position Description

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.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• 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, radio chemical processing, radiation protection, shielding, contamination control, or ALARA.
• Experience with process prototyping, commissioning, equipment testing, or system ownership.

We are looking for a Process Engineer that is:

• 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…