A contact in our network has shared an opening for a Senior Manager, Test Engineering at Oklo, a groundbreaking technology firm at the forefront of the advanced nuclear energy sector. Oklo is pioneering the development of fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy on a massive scale. The company is also focused on establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to transform nuclear waste into a source of clean energy. Oklo has already achieved significant milestones, including being the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant and submitting the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and highly driven leader to take charge of and expand the company’s test engineering function. In this pivotal role, you will own the entire lifecycle of test programs, from strategic planning to execution and continuous improvement. The scope of your work will span across Oklo’s diverse engineering portfolio, which includes prototypic thermal-hydraulic facilities, sophisticated sodium test systems, and intricate component qualification testing. You will be instrumental in ensuring that all test data is high-quality, traceable, and defensible, providing the essential foundation for licensing and the successful deployment of Oklo’s innovative advanced reactors.

As the Senior Manager, you will operate as a strategic leader who is not afraid to dive deep into the technical details. You will be responsible for setting the long-term vision for the test engineering function while also engaging in day-to-day problem-solving. This includes building and mentoring high-performing, multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technicians, and developing the necessary infrastructure to support Oklo’s ambitious goals. You will be the central point of contact, collaborating closely with design engineering, safety analysis, and regulatory teams to define test objectives and ensure test data not only meets technical requirements but also satisfies the rigorous demands of regulatory bodies. Your ability to bridge technical detail with high-level objectives will be crucial to your success.

Key Responsibilities & Areas of Impact

• Strategic Roadmapping and Ownership: You will own the entire roadmap for Oklo’s hardware test infrastructure, defining the future state and guiding the team toward achieving it. This involves a comprehensive, structured approach to test planning, execution, and reporting that is meticulously designed to meet all technical, regulatory, and safety requirements.
• Leadership and Team Management: You will manage a diverse team of engineers and technicians, ensuring test programs are executed on time and within budget. Your leadership will be pivotal in fostering a culture of rigor, creativity, and accountability. You will also be a key mentor, helping to develop the skills and careers of your team members.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A major component of this role is collaboration. You will work closely with design engineers to define precise test objectives, acceptance criteria, and instrumentation strategies. You will also build strong interfaces with safety, licensing, and regulatory teams, ensuring that all test programs produce defensible results that support regulatory submittals.
• Infrastructure and Equipment Leadership: You will lead the procurement and integration of major test equipment and facilities. This requires a deep understanding of facility operations and the ability to manage complex, large-scale projects.
• Data Quality and Traceability: You will be responsible for ensuring the quality, traceability, and configuration control for all test results. This includes linking test data directly to design requirements and Verification and Validation (V&V) artifacts. Familiarity with requirements traceability tools like Siemens Teamcenter is a significant bonus.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for this role is a highly motivated, self-starting individual who thrives in a fast-paced, startup environment. You are not driven by titles or rigid hierarchy and prefer efficiency over excessive process. You are an independent thinker who enjoys working on a fast-moving team and is enthusiastic about building first-of-a-kind systems.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline such as mechanical, nuclear, or electrical engineering. A Master’s or PhD is a plus.
• At least 10 years of experience in test engineering, with a clear track record of increasing responsibility in leadership or management roles.
• Proven experience in developing and executing test programs in highly regulated industries like nuclear, aerospace, or defense.
• Strong technical background in areas such as thermal-hydraulic testing, component qualification, or large-scale experimental facilities.
• Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Demonstrated ability to implement rigorous quality and safety processes within test environments.
• A track record of successfully delivering complex test programs on schedule.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic and Hands-on: You have the ability to set a long-term strategic direction while remaining engaged in the day-to-day details of problem-solving.
• Excellent Communicator: You can effectively bridge the gap between complex technical details and high-level business objectives, communicating clearly and professionally to all stakeholders.
• Creative: You are a problem-solver who can invent new ways to solve open-ended problems and fill needs without requiring micromanagement.
• Detail-Oriented: Your focus on detail ensures excellence, consistency, and quality in all aspects of your work.
• Team-Player: You are a collaborative individual who is passionate about working as a team to achieve incredible things, without focusing on individual credit or blame.

Oklo offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 to $180,000, in addition to equity, a 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance, flexible time off, and other benefits. This is a unique opportunity to contribute your expertise to a mission-driven company that is reshaping the future of energy and technology.