Sodium Test Engineer

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

Position Description

Oklo is transforming the future of energy, and we are looking for a Sodium Test Engineer to develop and operate test platforms that support advanced nuclear technology development.

In this role, you will lead or support the design, fabrication, commissioning, operation, and modification of experimental systems involving molten sodium with travel up to 10%.

The ideal candidate has direct knowledge or hands-on experience with molten sodium, or other molten alkali-metal systems. This experience may include system design, laboratory research, test operations, equipment development, chemistry control, component testing, maintenance, or decommissioning. The successful candidate will understand the unique operating, materials, cleanliness, containment, and safety considerations associated with reactive liquid metals.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Test Program Development: Translate engineering data requirements into executable tests. Prepare test plans, laboratory procedures, work instructions, equipment requirements, inspection points, and data-collection methods for materials-characterization activities.
• Test Execution: Lead or support test setup, readiness reviews, equipment checkout, specimen installation, startup, monitoring, shutdown, and post-test activities.
• Data Validation and Analysis: Review raw data for completeness and validity, identify anomalies, assess measurement uncertainty, calculate material properties, evaluate repeatability, and compare results with expected behavior or established requirements.
• Technical Reporting: Prepare test reports, materials evaluations, failure-analysis reports, engineering memos, data summaries, and recommendations. Clearly document methods, assumptions, deviations, results, uncertainties, and conclusions.
• Laboratory Development: Help establish and improve materials-laboratory capabilities, equipment-maintenance programs, calibration practices, specimen-storage methods, test templates, and safe operating procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, materials engineering, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with molten sodium or another molten alkali metal.
• Experience developing test plans, test procedures, operating procedures, engineering calculations, or technical reports.
• Ability to read and interpret piping and instrumentation diagrams, process-flow diagrams, equipment drawings, electrical schematics, instrument diagrams, and vendor documentation.
• Ability to lift, move, and position objects weighing up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Direct hands-on experience operating molten-sodium test loops or experimental sodium systems.
• Experience with high-temperature piping, heat tracing, insulation, freeze protection, thermal expansion, and temperature-control systems.
• Familiarity with ASME B31.3, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, or other applicable piping and pressure-equipment standards.
• Familiarity with ASME NQA-1 requirements, particularly design control, procurement, inspection, calibration, test control, document control, and configuration management.
• Advanced degree in mechanical, chemical, nuclear, materials, or a related engineering discipline.

Competencies

• Molten Alkali Metal Knowledge: Understands the physical, chemical, mechanical, and operational characteristics that influence the design and use of molten-sodium or related alkali-metal systems.
• Analytical Ability: Evaluates incomplete or unexpected information, identifies likely failure mechanisms, and develops technically sound corrective actions.

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. For the first two weeks of onboarding, employees are required to be in person at headquarters in Santa Clara, CA.

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, 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.