Engineering Technician

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a passionate, highly analytical, and detail-oriented Engineering Technician to join our engineering team.

Position Description

The Engineering Technician on the mechanical prototyping team will partner with mechanical prototype engineers to fabricate, assemble, test, and deploy one-off prototypes, tools, fixtures, and jigs. They will translate sketches/CAD and verbal direction into high-quality parts and assemblies, keep the shop safe, clean, and organized. They will spend time between fabrication, assembly, test setup, instrumentation, and data capture. Work ranges from sourcing parts and coordinating with vendors to building fixtures, executing test campaigns, and documenting results.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Fabricate, assemble, and iterate one-off prototypes, tools, fixtures, and jigs from sketches, CAD, and verbal direction
• Interpret drawings, tolerances, and build notes
• Prepare stock—cut, drill, tap, and fit parts using common shop tools; operate basic machine tools (saws, grinders, drills, manual mill/lathe)
• Perform light welding as skill allows (MIG/TIG preferred); assist experienced welders as needed
• Set up and execute mechanical tests (load, pressure, thermal, vibration, fit/function), including fixture build and instrumentation
• Install and calibrate sensors
• Collect, record, and organize test data; capture photos/notes; contribute to concise test summaries
• Troubleshoot build and test issues; perform root-cause checks and implement quick, pragmatic fixes
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized shop (5S experience a plus); manage waste streams and enforce PPE and safety procedures
• Perform basic preventive maintenance on shop equipment; log issues and coordinate repairs
• Kit builds: pull hardware and materials, label components, and maintain build travelers
• Handle parts procurement: source COTS hardware and materials, request quotes, place orders, and track deliveries
• Receive and inspect incoming parts; verify dimensions and finish against drawings; escalate nonconformance issues
• Manage inventory of consumables, fasteners, gases, and tooling; keep bins stocked and labeled
• Create and update build documentation: redlines, as-built notes, BOM updates, and simple work instructions
• Coordinate with prototype engineers and vendors for quick-turn machining, welding, coatings, and other services
• Uphold quality standards and dimensional control using calipers, micrometers, gauges where applicable 

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma
• 3+ years hands-on mechanical fabrication/assembly experience or equivalent training/portfolio (trade school, military, etc.)
• Proficient with basic shop operations: cut/drill/tap/; confident using common hand/power tools safely
• Can read mechanical drawings and build notes; understands basic tolerances and fit; uses calipers/mics/gauges accurately
• Familiar with shop safety, PPE, and housekeeping (5S); aware of machine guarding and LOTO basics
• Comfortable setting up simple test rigs and recording data in spreadsheets; willing to learn instrumentation/DAQ
• Basic computer skills: spreadsheets/docs, file management; ability to use CAD viewers
• Organized and reliable: follow work instructions, document builds, track parts/kits
• Strong communication and teamwork; asks clarifying questions and closes loops
• Able to lift up to ~50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and perform shop/fab tasks with or without reasonable accommodation
• Willing to support occasional off-hours work or local field/onsite deployments as needed
• Valid driver’s license

Bonus Qualifications:

• AA/BS in manufacturing/industrial tech, engineering technology, or similar
• Prior experience in a prototype/R&D “special projects” or skunkworks environment
• Manual and CNC machining (mill/lathe); basic CAM (Fusion 360, Mastercam) and workholding experience
• Sheet metal, tube bending, and fabrication (laser/waterjet, press brake, fixture design)
• Test & instrumentation depth: strain gauges, load cells, thermocouples, pressure transducers; NI/LabVIEW or equivalent DAQ
• Basic electrical/controls: wiring panels to schematics, relays/sensors, PLC familiarity, safe low-voltage practices
• Materials know-how: heat treat, coatings/plating, adhesives, composites, plastics
• Additive manufacturing (FDM/SLA/SLS) for quick-turn jigs and fixtures
• Quality systems exposure (ISO 9001/AS9100)
• Rigging & material handling: forklift/overhead crane experience; basic load calculation

Competencies

We are looking for an Engineering Technician that is:

• Mechanical aptitude & print literacy: read sketches/CAD, familiarity with basic tolerancing (GD&T a plus)
• Fabrication fundamentals: cut/drill/tap, fasteners and thread standards, basic hand and power tool use
• Machining basics: manual mill/lathe setup preferred, work holding, feeds/speeds; CNC familiarity a bonus
• Welding fundamentals: MIG/TIG prep, fit-up, distortion control; ability to assist certified welders
• Metrology & quality: calipers/mics/gauges 
• Troubleshooting & root cause: systematic isolation of mechanical/test issues, quick corrective actions
• Shop safety: PPE, machine guarding, housekeeping and organization
• Materials & processes: common metals/plastics/composites, fastener selection, adhesives, coatings
• Procurement & vendor coordination: source COTS parts, request quotes, place/track orders, quick-turn job shops
• Data literacy: record test data, maintain spreadsheets, create clear summaries/plots for engineers
• Equipment care: basic preventive maintenance, issue logging, safe use of lifting/rigging (forklift/overhead crane)
• Communication & teamwork: clear handoffs, ask good questions, partner tightly with prototype engineers and vendors
• Time management & adaptability: juggle shifting priorities, context-switch smoothly, deliver fast, reliable turns
• Continuous improvement mindset: suggest DFM/testability tweaks, improve fixtures, tools, and shop workflows

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: $60,000-$120,000

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.

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.