How to apply for Nuclear Operations Engineer

About Oklo

Oklo is developing next-generation fast fission technology and recycling nuclear waste. The company's goal is to provide clean, reliable, affordable energy. Working there means contributing to advanced reactor deployment rather than conventional light-water reactor projects.

About the role

This Nuclear Operations Engineer role supports the development and implementation of operational capabilities for commissioning, startup, and operation of Oklo facilities. You will translate plant designs, safety requirements, and program requirements into practical operating methods and procedures. The role spans procedure development, system turnover, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness across Oklo projects.

A typical day

A typical day may involve reviewing or drafting operating procedures with procedure writers and system engineers, supporting a system turnover or test activity, or providing operational input for a safety analysis or human factors review. You might also attend cross-functional meetings with operations, engineering, regulatory, maintenance, or training teams. The mix depends on the project phase and whether you are acting as a system owner, technical lead, test engineer, or field operations resource.

Who Oklo is looking for

• Experience writing or reviewing nuclear plant operating procedures, including normal, abnormal, emergency, surveillance, and alarm-response procedures.
• Background in nuclear operations, commissioning, startup, or system engineering, with the ability to work with procedure writers, system engineers, and subject-matter experts.
• Familiarity with translating design and safety analysis inputs into operationally practical methods and programs.
• Willingness to serve in flexible roles such as system owner, technical lead, procedure subject-matter expert, test engineer, or field operations resource as project needs change.

Tips for this application

• In your resume, list specific procedure types you have developed or supported (normal, general, abnormal, emergency, surveillance, alarm-response, administrative) and the reactor or facility type.
• Describe any experience with system turnover, testing, commissioning, startup, or operational readiness. Use concrete examples with project names or phases if possible.
• Name the subject-matter experts and teams you have worked with (procedure writers, system engineers, regulatory, safety analysis, human factors, maintenance, training). This shows you understand the cross-functional nature of the role.
• If you have served as a system owner, technical lead, test engineer, or field operations resource, state that clearly and explain what you did in that capacity.
• Because the role is remote, address how you have worked effectively with plant sites, field teams, or cross-site projects in previous roles.

What to cover in your cover letter

Focus on your direct experience developing or implementing nuclear operating procedures and operational programs. Explain how you have translated design or safety requirements into practical methods for operations. Highlight any commissioning, startup, or operational readiness work you have done. Show that you can work across operations, engineering, regulatory, safety analysis, human factors, maintenance, and training groups.

Research before applying

• Oklo's specific reactor designs and the status of their license applications with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
• How Oklo plans to recycle nuclear waste and what that means for operations and procedures.
• The difference between fast fission reactor operations and conventional light-water reactor operations, especially for procedure development.
• Oklo's current projects and which phases (design, commissioning, startup, operations) they are in, so you can speak to where this role fits.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How do you approach writing or reviewing an abnormal or emergency operating procedure to ensure it is technically accurate and operationally practical?
• Describe a time you supported system turnover, testing, or commissioning. What was your role and what did you learn?
• How do you work with procedure writers, system engineers, and subject-matter experts when there is disagreement about a procedure step?
• What experience do you have with fast fission technology or recycling nuclear waste, and how would you come up to speed on Oklo's designs?
• This role may shift between system owner, technical lead, procedure subject-matter expert, test engineer, and field operations resource. How do you handle changing responsibilities?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic nuclear engineering resume that does not mention procedure development, commissioning, or operational readiness.
• Claiming experience with fast reactors or Oklo's specific technology if you do not have it. Instead, state your relevant nuclear operations background and your willingness to learn.
• Ignoring the remote aspect. If you have no experience working remotely with plant sites or field teams, do not pretend you do. Explain how you would handle it.