Head of Manufacturing
OkloSanta Clara, CA or Remote$210k–$290k/yr
Good fit if
- You have 10+ years of experience.
- You can travel 25% of the time.
Credentials that matter
Skills and tools
- NRC Regulations
- Iaea Compliance
- Fast Reactor
- Advanced Manufacturing
- CAD
- Nuclear Safety
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in design, prototyping, and manufacturing operations, preferably in nuclear, energy, or highly regulated industries
- At least 3 years in a leadership or excellence-focused role
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, coach cross-functional groups, and drive cultural change
- Proficiency in CAD design tools
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and facilitation skills with experience presenting to senior leadership
- Willingness to travel for site visits, audits, and team collaboration
About this role
Lead manufacturing strategy and operations for advanced nuclear reactor components at Oklo, a clean energy startup developing fast-reactor technology. Report directly to the COO and drive process improvements, ensure NRC and IAEA compliance, and coach cross-functional teams to scale production of nuclear fuel and reactor systems.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive manufacturing strategy aligned with business priorities and KPIs (quality, delivery, cost, safety)
- Lead process improvement initiatives using structured methodologies to enhance productivity and address root causes of inefficiencies
- Promote best practices, standards, and innovations across manufacturing and vendor sites, including nuclear-specific protocols (NRC, IAEA compliance)
- Coach and mentor design, manufacturing teams, and production managers in autonomous operations, problem-solving, and change management
- Ensure adherence to nuclear safety culture, EHS standards, and regulatory compliance including risk assessments for supplier factories
- Collaborate with senior leadership to set continuous improvement targets, track results, and report on cost savings and cultural impact
- Support knowledge transfer and capability building through training programs and best practice repositories for global teams
- Manage project portfolios, budgets, and timelines for excellence initiatives while balancing stakeholder needs and competing priorities
Preferred qualifications
- Passion for clean energy and advanced fission technology
- Experience in fast-paced startup environments
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain technical content clearly
- Creative problem-solving approach with willingness to propose novel solutions
- Self-motivated with ability to work independently without micromanagement
Location, schedule, and travel
Remote with ~25% travel to manufacturing sites and headquarters in Santa Clara, CA; must travel to HQ twice quarterly for team meetings and company events.
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Head of Manufacturing
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