How to apply for Fuels Licensing Manager

About Oklo

Oklo is developing next-generation fast fission technology and recycling nuclear waste to provide clean, reliable, affordable energy. The company is working on fuel fabrication and recycling technologies, which means this role sits at the intersection of advanced reactor design and nuclear material regulation.

About the role

The Fuels Licensing Manager applies nuclear regulatory knowledge to support engineering development toward licensing requirements for Oklo's fuel fabrication and recycling technologies. You will work with design engineers to interpret and inform the design basis for U.S. nuclear regulations, and help prepare licensing documents for pre-application activities and license application submittal and review.

A typical day

You might review engineering design changes against regulatory requirements, draft or revise licensing document sections, and meet with design engineers to clarify design basis assumptions. You could also track licensing submittal schedules and coordinate with project managers on milestones. The exact daily routine depends on the team, so ask about typical workflows and tools during interviews.

Who Oklo is looking for

• Experience with U.S. nuclear regulatory processes, especially licensing for fuel fabrication, fuel recycling, or advanced reactor fuels.
• Ability to interpret regulations and translate them into engineering requirements and design basis documentation.
• Strong project management skills to track licensing deliverables, submittals, schedules, and milestones.
• Comfort working in a team environment with design engineers and reviewing technical materials across engineering functions.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific experience with NRC licensing processes for fuel cycle facilities or advanced reactors, not just general nuclear experience.
• Describe your work preparing or reviewing licensing documents, programs, or submittals, and note the regulatory dockets or frameworks involved.
• Show how you have collaborated with design engineers to inform design basis or engineering requirements based on regulatory needs.
• Mention any experience with fuel fabrication or recycling technologies, since Oklo's focus is on those areas.
• Use the cover letter to explain why you want to work on fuel licensing at Oklo specifically, referencing their fast fission and waste recycling work.

What to cover in your cover letter

Focus on your direct experience with U.S. nuclear regulations and licensing documentation. Explain how you have worked with engineers to interpret regulations and develop design basis or licensing requirements. Describe your project management of licensing activities, including schedules and submittals. State why Oklo's fuel fabrication and recycling technologies interest you and how your background fits.

Research before applying

• Read Oklo's website and public materials on their fast fission technology and nuclear waste recycling approach.
• Look up the NRC's regulatory framework for fuel fabrication facilities and advanced reactor fuel licensing, including any recent guidance.
• Search for Oklo's previous NRC pre-application interactions or licensing submittals to understand their regulatory strategy.
• Find news or interviews about Oklo's fuel cycle plans to see how licensing fits into their deployment timeline.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through a licensing document you prepared or reviewed and how you ensured it met regulatory requirements.
• How do you interpret a regulation when the design basis is still evolving? Give an example.
• Describe a time you coordinated with design engineers to resolve a regulatory compliance issue.
• How do you manage licensing schedules and milestones when multiple deliverables are due at once?
• What do you know about Oklo's fuel fabrication and recycling technologies, and what regulatory questions do they raise for you?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic nuclear engineering resume without showing specific licensing or regulatory documentation experience.
• Claiming knowledge of Oklo's technology without referencing their fuel fabrication or recycling focus.
• Focusing only on reactor operations or design while ignoring the licensing and regulatory coordination aspects of this role.