How to apply for Radiological Waste Engineering Lead - Early Deployments

About Oklo

Oklo is developing advanced fission power plants and fuel cycle facilities to provide clean, reliable, affordable energy at scale. The company also works on isotope production for medical uses and recycling nuclear waste. This role offers a chance to work on first-of-a-kind engineering problems across multiple facility types.

About the role

You will lead the strategy and technical execution of radioactive waste management across Oklo's portfolio, from concept through operations. This includes establishing waste processing approaches, disposal pathways, transportation strategies, waste minimization, and regulatory interfaces for reactor and fuel cycle facilities. You will work with process engineering, licensing, operations, safeguards, environmental compliance, construction, and business development teams to incorporate waste considerations early in design.

A typical day

You might review facility designs to identify waste streams and propose processing approaches. You could meet with licensing, operations, and process engineering teams to align on disposal pathways and transportation strategies. You may also work on waste minimization initiatives and regulatory submissions.

Who Oklo is looking for

• Experience developing radioactive waste management strategies for nuclear facilities, including processing, disposal, transportation, and minimization.
• Knowledge of regulatory interfaces for radioactive waste, such as licensing and environmental compliance.
• Ability to work across disciplines with process engineering, operations, licensing, and construction teams.
• Comfort with first-of-a-kind challenges and building scalable systems for multiple future facilities.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific experience with radioactive waste management strategies, including disposal pathways and transportation.
• Describe how you have incorporated waste considerations early in facility or process design, not as an afterthought.
• Mention any work with fuel cycle facilities, isotope production, or advanced fission technologies.
• Show familiarity with regulatory interfaces for radioactive waste, such as licensing and environmental compliance.
• Explain your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams like process engineering, operations, and business development.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience leading radioactive waste management strategy from concept through operations.', 'Specific examples of establishing waste processing approaches, disposal pathways, or waste minimization initiatives.', 'How you have worked with regulatory bodies and cross-functional teams to integrate waste considerations early.', 'Your interest in solving first-of-a-kind engineering challenges for advanced fission and fuel cycle facilities.']

Research before applying

• Oklo's advanced fission technology and fuel recycling plans.
• Oklo's isotope production facilities for medical uses.
• Regulatory frameworks for radioactive waste in the US, including disposal and transportation.
• Oklo's current projects and deployments to understand the context for this role.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you develop a radioactive waste management strategy for a new reactor or fuel cycle facility?
• Describe your experience with disposal pathways and transportation strategies for radioactive waste.
• How do you ensure waste considerations are incorporated early in facility design?
• What regulatory interfaces have you worked with for radioactive waste management?
• Give an example of a waste minimization initiative you led and its results.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on general waste management without addressing radioactive waste specifics.
• Failing to show how you integrate waste considerations into early design phases.
• Not demonstrating experience with regulatory interfaces or cross-functional collaboration.