Facility Operations Manager

Overview

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Facility Operations Manager to join our team. This position will be on-site in the Austin, Texas area.

Atomic Alchemy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oklo, is building scalable U.S. radioisotope production capabilities in facilities dedicated to producing essential isotopes for healthcare, industry, research, and defense. In May 2025, executive orders were issued directing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to take a leading role in unleashing the American nuclear renaissance. Through these directives, DOE established the Reactor Pilot Program (RPP) to demonstrate at least three advanced reactors reaching criticality by July 4, 2026, or as soon as possible under the program.

In August 2025, DOE selected Atomic Alchemy and awarded an RPP project for a pilot radioisotope production facility.

The Facility Operations Manager is responsible for the overall safe operation and maintenance of the facility. The position is directly responsible for ensuring that all facility activities meet applicable technical, operational, and regulatory requirements. This role will lead day-to-day operations, maintenance, direct facility personnel, and maintain rigorous operational discipline across all functions. The Facility Operations Manager will play a central role in the facility’s transition from construction completion, commissioning, through initial startup, and into operations, ensuring facility and personnel readiness, procedural adherence, and continuous improvement throughout each phase.

This person will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer of Atomic Alchemy.

The ideal candidate will bring substantial nuclear operations management experience and previously have held, or holds, a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license at a commercial nuclear plant, a research and test reactor facility, or have served in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Program as an Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW). This position requires strong cross-functional experience, the ability to coordinate across engineering, operations, maintenance, and regulatory interfaces, and a deep commitment to operational excellence.

The role is fully onsite and will require hands-on leadership and a strong presence in the facility.

• Provide overall leadership for the safe, compliant, and reliable operation and maintenance of the facility.
• Direct day-to-day facility operations and maintenance, ensuring adherence to operational, technical, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the transition from commissioning to initial startup and operations, including readiness activities and procedure implementation.
• Establish, enforce, and continuously improve operational standards, facility procedures, and conduct-of-operations expectations.
• Oversee shift operations, maintenance activities, and engineering support, ensuring coordination across all functional disciplines.
• Serve as the primary onsite authority for operational decision-making, prioritizing nuclear safety, radiological safety, and industrial safety.
• Ensure facility personnel are properly trained, qualified, and performing to defined standards; support development of staffing plans and training programs.
• Monitor facility performance indicators, identify trends, and implement corrective actions to maintain high levels of operational reliability.
• Support regulatory interfaces, inspections, and audits, ensuring timely resolution of findings and transparent communication.
• Drive a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Coordinate with senior leadership on operational planning, resource needs, and long-range facility strategy.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science degree.
• Hold, or have held, a senior reactor operator (SRO) certification/NRC License for similar reactor facility (or equivalent).
• Minimum of 4 years of supervisory or management experience. Previous commercial nuclear plant or research and test reactor experience is preferred. Education and/or experience that is job-related may be substituted for a degree on a case-by-case basis.