Oklo is hiring: Senior Manager, Hardware Test Engineering in Santa Clara

Senior Manager, Hardware Test Engineering

Santa Clara, CA or Remote

Overview

Oklo is looking for an experienced and driven leader to manage and grow our test engineering function. This role will oversee the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of test programs across Oklos engineering portfolio, including prototypic thermal-hydraulic facilities, sodium test systems, and component qualification testing. You will work closely with design engineering, safety analysis, and regulatory teams to ensure test data supports licensing and deployment of Oklos advanced reactors.

Responsibilities

• Own the roadmap for Oklos hardware test infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain a structured approach for test planning, execution, and reporting that meets technical, regulatory, and safety requirements.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technicians to execute tests on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with design engineers to define test objectives, test acceptance criteria, and instrumentation strategies.
• Lead procurement and integration of major test equipment and facilities.
• Ensure data quality, traceability, and configuration control for all test results, with links to requirements and V&V artifacts.
• Build strong interfaces with safety, licensing, and regulatory teams to ensure test programs provide defensible results.
• Mentor and grow a high-performing test engineering team, fostering a culture of rigor, creativity, and accountability.
• Strategic and hands-on: able to set long-term direction while engaging in daily problem-solving.
• Strong technical background in thermal-hydraulic testing, component qualification, or large-scale experimental facilities.
• Proven ability to manage teams, schedules, budgets, and complex projects.
• Excellent communicator clear and upbeat communicator who can bridge technical detail and high-level objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to implement quality and safety processes in test environments.
• Thrives in fast-moving environments and is motivated by building first-of-a-kind systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in mechanical, nuclear, electrical, or related engineering discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in test engineering, with increasing responsibility in leadership or management.
• Experience in developing and executing test programs in highly regulated industries (nuclear, aerospace, defense, or similar).
• Familiarity with instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and facility operations.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering complex test programs.

Bonus Qualifications

• Masters degree or PhD in a relevant engineering field.
• Experience with sodium or other alkali metal test systems.
• Prior experience supporting regulatory submittals with test data.
• Familiarity with Siemens Teamcenter or other PLM/requirements traceability tools.
• Strong network within the test engineering and facility operations community.

About Oklo

Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy.

Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.