Mechanical Design Engineer - Core Mechanical Design
OkloSanta Clara, CA or Remote$115k–$170k/yr
Credentials that matter
Skills and tools
- 3D CAD
- Pdm/plm
- GD&T
- Dfm/dfa
- ANSYS
- Advanced Reactor Design
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
- 3–10 years of industry experience in mechanical or structural design within aerospace, automotive, energy, or industrial equipment sectors
- Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software (e.g., Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks) including part modeling, large assemblies, and detailed drawings
- Experience with CAD version control using PDM/PLM tools (e.g., Teamcenter, SolidWorks PDM, Windchill)
- Solid understanding of mechanical design principles including DFM, DFA, and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Ability to apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5-2018 or similar standard to engineering drawings
- Working knowledge of material selection (particularly metals), manufacturing methods, and fabrication techniques
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable working with external manufacturers and engineering consultants
About this role
Oklo is seeking a Core Mechanical Design Engineer to design core assemblies and components for advanced reactors, taking designs from conceptual through final stages. You'll collaborate with fuel fabrication and analysis teams to deliver manufacturable, high-integrity components for safety-critical nuclear systems.
Responsibilities
- Develop designs of core assemblies and components to satisfy performance and manufacturing requirements
- Create design documentation including drawings, product and material specifications, design basis documents, and calculation documents
- Conduct and participate in design reviews, providing and receiving technical feedback
- Evaluate mechanical designs to identify deficiencies and proactively propose and implement solutions
- Generate and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and bills of materials using controlled PDM/PLM processes
- Coordinate with analysis teams to guide and interpret thermal, structural, fatigue, and safety analyses in support of design validation
- Perform detailed manufacturability reviews, tolerance studies, and DFM/DFA assessments
- Work with Fuel Fabrication team to refine designs for improved manufacturability and inspectability
- Contribute to continuous improvement of mechanical design processes, tools, and standards
Preferred qualifications
- Background in designing components for high-integrity or safety-critical systems (nuclear, aerospace, defense, heavy industry)
- Proven ability to lead hardware projects through full development cycle from concept to production
- Knowledge of manufacturing and inspection processes
- Experience with precision machine design and tolerancing
- Understanding of thermal-mechanical analysis principles and design for high-temperature environments
- Basic knowledge of nuclear fission and radiation effects on materials and components
- Exposure to simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS) and scripting languages (e.g., Python)
- ASME GD&T Professional certification (Senior or Technologist Level)
- Proficiency with SolidWorks software
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Mechanical Design Engineer - Core Mechanical Design
Oklo · $115k–$170k/yr