Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer (Subchannel Analysis)

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a talented Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer with specialization in subchannel analysis codes to join our team.

Position Description

As a Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer specializing in subchannel analysis codes at Oklo, you will play a critical role in the design, analysis, and methods development for our fast reactor designs. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on the analysis framework, conduct design and safety analysis, and lead verification and validation studies using state-of-the-art subchannel analysis tools, including Pronghorn-Subchannel.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Lead the development of a subchannel analysis framework allowing utilization of Pronghorn-Subchannel, a modern code built on the MOOSE framework and tailored for fast reactor applications.
• Apply Pronghorn-Subchannel to conduct in-depth thermal hydraulic design, safety analysis, and optimization studies.
• Lead the development and application of hot channel factors using Pronghorn-Subchannel to ensure reactor safety margins.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to leverage Pronghorn-Subchannel capabilities for fast reactor technology.
• Provide expert guidance and technical support on matters related to Pronghorn-Subchannel and its integration into the project's goals.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments in Pronghorn-Subchannel and MOOSE code base.
  

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:

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a strong focus on thermal hydraulics.
• Experience specializing in subchannel analysis codes, such as DASSH, Pronghorn-Subchannel, COBRA-TF, or similar.
• Experience with Python.
• Proven experience in thermal-hydraulics analysis for nuclear reactor systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with the MOOSE code suite.
• Familiarity with methods development, code qualification, and verification/validation processes in nuclear thermal hydraulics.

About Oklo compensation:

Salary: $73,000-$157,000

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.

We are looking to fill this position immediately!

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.