Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer
Oklo
| Company | Oklo |
| Category | Engineering |
| Location | Santa Clara |
| Remote | Remote |
| Employment | Not stated |
| Level | Senior |
| Salary | Not stated by the employer |
| Posted | 20 Apr 2026 |
| Last verified | 11 Aug 2026 |
| Source | Employer ATS (greenhouse) |
Description
Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer to join our team.
Position Description
A Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer at Oklo is responsible for performing criticality safety evaluations, developing the nuclear criticality safety basis, and architecting the nuclear criticality safety program for a first-of-a-kind used nuclear fuel recycling facility.
Specific responsibilities may include:
Identifying and evaluating nuclear criticality safety (NCS) hazards for fuel cycle facilities
Performing criticality safety evaluations (CSEs) to demonstrate subcriticality under normal and credible abnormal conditions
Developing the criticality code validation report
Demonstrating compliance with the double-contingency principle
Documenting criticality hazard analyses, CSEs, and supporting technical information
Evaluating and implementing controlled parameters for the NCS program
Developing the criticality accident alarm system and inadvertent criticality emergency response plan
Supporting safety basis development and licensing efforts
Developing and administering the NCS program, methodologies, and management measures
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or chemistry, or related field
Minimum 5+ years experience performing CSEs as a part of a nuclear facility’s safety basis
Bonus Qualifications:
Knowledge of used nuclear fuel recycling technologies
10+ years of experience performing criticality safety evaluations for an NRC licensed fuel cycle facility
Competencies
We are looking for a Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer that is:
Knowledge of nuclear science, physics of criticality, and chemistry
Knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle processes and nuclear fuel cycle facility accident scenarios
Proficient with Attila4MC, MCNP, SCALE, and/or Serpent codes and modules
Familiarity with critical experiments and their purpose
Knowledge of criticality-specific codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and industry practices for nuclear fuel cycle facilities
Familiarity with NUREG-1513, NUREG-1520, NUREG/CR-6410, NUREG/CR-6698, NUREG/CR-7311, and NRC RG 3.71
Passionate about clean energy and making advanced fission a reality
Knowledgeable about structural design, analysis, and construction
Eager to work on a dynamic team, receive constructive feedback, and grow with us
Willing to think differently and learn quickly
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
An excellent writer who can communicate technical concepts in modern active voice
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 t