Head of Manufacturing
About this role
Lead manufacturing strategy and operations for Oklo, an advanced fission company. Report to COO and drive process improvements, nuclear compliance, and operational excellence across design, prototyping, and manufacturing sites. Responsible for embedding nuclear safety culture, regulatory adherence (NRC, IAEA), and continuous improvement across internal teams and vendor facilities.
Responsibilities
- —Develop and execute 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
- —Promote nuclear-specific best practices including radiation protection, material handling, and regulatory compliance (NRC, IAEA standards) across manufacturing and vendor sites
- —Coach and mentor design, manufacturing, and production teams 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 and report on progress, cost savings, and cultural transformations
- —Support knowledge transfer and capability building through training programs and best practice repositories for global teams
- —Manage project portfolios, budgets, and timelines while balancing stakeholder needs
Qualifications
- —Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field
- —10+ years in design, prototyping, and manufacturing operations, preferably in nuclear, energy, or highly-regulated industries
- —At least 3 years in 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
Desired
- —Passion for clean energy and advanced fission technology
- —Experience in startup environments
- —Experience with modern manufacturing methodologies and digital tools for process improvement
Location
Remote with occasional travel to manufacturing sites; travel to Santa Clara, CA headquarters required twice per quarter for team meetings and company events.
Job details
Skills & Tools
About the company
Oklo →An advanced fission company developing the Aurora powerhouse, a fast-reactor microreactor designed to deliver clean baseload power.
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Head of Manufacturing
Oklo · $210k–$290k/yr