Source Term Engineer

Thanks for your interest in Oklo!  We are searching for a Source Term Engineer or Specialist to join our team. 

Position Description

We are seeking an experienced Source Term Engineer with a deep understanding of phenomena related to both metal-fueled and liquid-metal-cooled fast reactors, with a specific focus on pool scrubbing and aerosol mechanics. As a Source Term Engineer, you will play a crucial role in analyzing and developing methodologies for radiological source term ensuring the safe and efficient operation of our sodium fast reactor systems.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Conduct in-depth analyses of source term phenomena, including pool scrubbing and aerosol mechanics, within the context of fast reactors that are either metal-fueled or liquid-metal-cooled.
• Develop and implement computational models and simulations to evaluate migration of radionuclides to the environment.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and researchers to optimize source term methodologies in support of NRC license applications.
• Propose and sponsor experiments to validate and improve source term models and simulations.
• Identify potential risks and challenges associated with source term phenomena and propose mitigation strategies.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and research in the field of fast reactors and source term analysis.
• Provide technical expertise and support to internal stakeholders and external partners on source term-related matters.

Competencies

We are looking for a Source Term Engineer that is:

• Passionate about clean energy 
• Passionate about making advanced fission a reality
• Willing and able to learn quickly
• Eager to work on a dynamic team, receive constructive feedback, and grow with us
• 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 about the problems they are solving, while not leaning only on what has been done before 
• Willing to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problems
• An excellent writer who can write in modern active voice, so make your cover letter compelling and write it well!
• Able to communicate technical content and results verbally 

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Having a Master’s or Ph.D. is highly desirable.
• Proven experience and expertise in source term phenomena related to fast reactors and metal fuel, with a specific emphasis on pool scrubbing and aerosol mechanics.
• Strong knowledge of nuclear reactor physics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and computational modeling techniques.
• Proficiency in utilizing simulation tools such as RELAP, SAM, SAS4A/SASSYS-1, SRT, RADTRAD, ARCON, MACCS, or equivalent for source term analysis.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations pertaining to mechanistic source term analysis.
• Experience acting as a test sponsor for experimental research and analysis related to source term phenomena is desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines.

About Oklo compensation:

Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, competitive pay, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits.

About Oklo Inc.: Oklo is a California-based company developing clean energy plants to provide emission-free, reliable, and affordable energy using advanced fission. Oklo is a fast-growing startup with a history of reliable funding and milestones for more than 5 years.  Oklo’s first product is a microgrid scale powerhouse. The powerhouse can produce clean energy for decades without needing to refuel, and also has the capability to turn nuclear waste into clean energy.

Oklo received a Site Use Permit from the U.S Department of Energy, demonstrated fabrication of its fuel, was awarded fuel from the Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first accepted advanced fission license application to the regulator.

Oklo has been featured in Popular Mechanics, Wired, Architectural Digest, Hyperallergic, POWER Magazine, has been the subject of a Harvard Business School case, and was featured in the documentary The New Fire, among many other features.