Application Guide

How to Apply for Software Engineer (Infrastructure)

at Oklo

🏢 About Oklo

Oklo is pioneering next-generation fast fission technology to recycle nuclear waste into clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Unlike traditional energy companies, they combine advanced nuclear engineering with cutting-edge software to solve one of humanity's most pressing challenges. Working here means contributing directly to climate solutions through innovative technology in a mission-driven startup environment.

About This Role

This Software Engineer (Infrastructure) role focuses on building and maintaining the CI/CD systems, data integration pipelines, and internal tooling that enable Oklo's engineering teams to design and simulate nuclear reactors efficiently. You'll ensure high-quality software delivery while maintaining strict compliance standards critical for nuclear technology. Your work directly accelerates reactor development by automating workflows across CAD, product lifecycle management, and computational fluid dynamics tools.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve enhancing CI/CD pipelines to accelerate reactor design simulations, integrating new CAD data into automated workflows, and collaborating with nuclear engineers to build internal tools that streamline compliance documentation. You'll troubleshoot performance issues in compute infrastructure supporting computational fluid dynamics runs while contributing to RFCs for new infrastructure designs that balance innovation with regulatory requirements.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Oklo Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of software engineering experience with strong Python skills and experience in CI/CD pipeline development (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions)
  • Demonstrates practical knowledge of integrating engineering data systems (CAD, PLM, CFD) into automated pipelines, not just web or mobile applications
  • Shows genuine curiosity about nuclear energy and can articulate why they're passionate about Oklo's specific mission of recycling nuclear waste
  • Can balance competing priorities independently in ambiguous environments while maintaining compliance standards—common in regulated industries like nuclear

📝 Tips for Applying to Oklo

1

Highlight specific experience with engineering data systems (CAD, PLM, CFD tools) in your resume—mention any integration projects, even if small

2

Tailor your cover letter to explain why you're drawn to nuclear energy specifically, not just clean energy generally, referencing Oklo's fuel recycling mission

3

Include examples of building internal developer tools or automating compliance workflows, which are crucial for this regulated industry role

4

Demonstrate your ability to work with 'internal customers' by describing past collaborations with non-software teams (engineering, QA, compliance)

5

Prepare to discuss how you've optimized system performance in resource-constrained environments, relevant to Oklo's compute infrastructure needs

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with CI/CD infrastructure and how it supported engineering or scientific workflows (not just web deployment)', 'Specific examples of integrating data from engineering tools into automated pipelines', "Why you're passionate about nuclear energy innovation and Oklo's approach to recycling nuclear waste", "How you've balanced competing priorities and driven projects independently in ambiguous technical environments"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Oklo's Aurora powerhouse design and how it differs from traditional nuclear reactors
  • → The company's recent regulatory milestones with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • → Their partnerships and funding sources to understand their technical roadmap
  • → How fast fission technology enables nuclear waste recycling (the fuel cycle)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through a past project where you integrated data from engineering systems (CAD, PLM, or CFD tools) into an automated pipeline
2 How would you design a CI/CD system that maintains compliance documentation for nuclear regulatory requirements?
3 Describe your approach to troubleshooting performance issues in compute infrastructure supporting simulation workloads
4 How do you prioritize between building new features for internal tools versus maintaining existing infrastructure?
5 What interests you about Oklo's fast fission technology and nuclear waste recycling mission specifically?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic software engineering experience without highlighting infrastructure, automation, or engineering tool integration
  • Showing interest in 'clean energy' generally without demonstrating specific knowledge of or curiosity about nuclear technology
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of working with internal stakeholders or balancing competing priorities in past roles

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Oklo!

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