How to apply for Hot Cell Design Engineer

About Oklo

Oklo is a nuclear technology company focused on fast fission and recycling used nuclear fuel. The company aims to deploy next-generation reactors and a modern fuel recycling facility. Working there means contributing to fuel recycling infrastructure that is rarely built in the industry.

About the role

This role supports the mechanical and systems design of radiological hot cells for used nuclear fuel recycling. You will integrate shielding, ventilation, confinement, and remote handling into an industrial-scale facility. The work directly shapes how used fuel is processed safely and efficiently.

A typical day

A typical day may involve reviewing equipment layouts, coordinating with radiation modeling specialists on shielding requirements, and integrating remote handling systems into cell designs. You might also work with structural engineers on confinement system evaluations and define material transfer pathways. The exact daily routine is not described in the job posting, so ask about team structure and typical project workflows during interviews.

Who Oklo is looking for

• Experience designing radiological hot cells or similar shielded confinement systems, including shielding, ventilation, and confinement boundaries.
• Familiarity with remote handling equipment such as manipulators, cameras, and cranes, and how they integrate into cell layouts.
• Ability to define equipment layouts, material transfer pathways, and maintenance access strategies in constrained radiological environments.
• Experience working with radiation modeling and safety analysis teams to set shielding requirements and design constraints.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific hot cell or shielded enclosure projects you have worked on, including shielding, ventilation, and confinement design details.
• List remote handling systems you have integrated, such as manipulators, cameras, or cranes, and describe your role in their layout and interface.
• Describe how you have collaborated with radiation modeling or safety analysis specialists to set design constraints.
• Mention any experience with used nuclear fuel (UNF) or fuel recycling facilities, even if indirect.
• Use terms from the job description such as shielding, confinement, remote handling, and material transfer pathways in your resume.

What to cover in your cover letter

Explain your direct experience with hot cell or radiological confinement design. Describe a specific project where you integrated remote handling or defined material transfer pathways. Show how you worked with radiation modeling or safety analysis to establish shielding requirements. State why you want to work on Oklo's fuel recycling facility specifically.

Research before applying

• Oklo's fuel recycling program and how it relates to their fast fission reactor technology.
• The basics of used nuclear fuel (UNF) recycling processes and why hot cells are needed.
• Common hot cell design features such as shielding materials, ventilation, confinement, and remote handling systems.
• Oklo's public statements or job postings about their fuel recycling facility to understand the project stage.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you approach shielding design and confinement boundary definition for a hot cell.
• Your experience integrating remote handling equipment like manipulators, cameras, or cranes into a cell layout.
• How you define material transfer pathways and maintenance access in a radiological environment.
• How you collaborate with radiation modeling and safety analysis teams to set design constraints.
• Your understanding of structural evaluation for confinement systems and relevant codes or standards.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic mechanical engineering resume without mentioning radiological hot cells, shielding, or confinement.
• Claiming experience with remote handling or UNF recycling without specific project examples.
• Ignoring the multidisciplinary nature of the role and not showing how you worked with nuclear, chemical, or controls engineers.