Nuclear Training Instructor

Thanks for your interest in Oklo!  We are searching for a Nuclear Training Instructor to join our Plant Operations team.

Position Description

The Nuclear Training Instructor is responsible for developing, implementing, and delivering high-quality training programs that support safe, reliable, and efficient nuclear plant operations. This role provides technical instruction and performance-based training to operations, maintenance, engineering, and support personnel in accordance with company procedures, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

This position will play a key role in supporting the development of a new and evolving training organization for advanced reactor operations. The Nuclear Training Instructor will help establish foundational training processes, develop new procedures and qualification programs, and support the startup and implementation of first-of-a-kind operational training programs.

The Nuclear Training Instructor supports the development of a highly capable workforce by applying systematic training methodologies, maintaining technical accuracy of training materials, and fostering a strong nuclear safety culture. This position may support classroom instruction, simulator instruction, field training, qualification programs, and continuing training activities for advanced reactor technologies and associated plant systems.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Develop, revise, and maintain training materials, lesson plans, evaluations, qualification cards, and qualification programs using a systematic approach to training (SAT)

• Support the establishment and continuous improvement of a new nuclear training organization and associated training governance processes

• Develop new training procedures, administrative processes, and program documentation to support startup and long-term operations

• Support the startup and implementation of new operational and technical training programs for advanced reactor facilities

• Deliver classroom, simulator, laboratory, and on-the-job training for plant personnel

• Evaluate trainee performance and provide coaching, mentoring, and remediation as necessary

• Support initial and continuing training programs for operations, maintenance, radiation protection, chemistry, engineering, and technical staff

• Conduct training needs analyses and incorporate operating experience, procedure changes, design modifications, and regulatory requirements into training programs

• Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, and licensing organizations to ensure technical accuracy and operational relevance of training content

• Support development and administration of examinations, qualification boards, and performance evaluations

• Maintain training records and documentation in accordance with regulatory and company requirements

• Participate in plant activities, observations, startup testing, and performance improvement initiatives to identify training opportunities

• Be aware of and familiar with fast reactor core design and analysis work being performed internationally, as well as related benchmark calculations and experiments being performed internationally

• Promote strong human performance fundamentals, operational excellence, and nuclear safety culture principles

• Support accreditation activities, regulatory inspections, and readiness reviews related to training programs

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, nuclear engineering, physics, chemistry, education, or a related technical discipline; equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of a degree

• 5+ years of experience in commercial nuclear power, naval nuclear propulsion, advanced reactor development, nuclear operations, maintenance, engineering, or technical training

• Experience developing and/or delivering technical training programs

• Experience with learning management systems (LMS)

• Experience working in dynamic, startup, or rapidly evolving operational environments

• Demonstrated ability to write technical procedures, program documents, or instructional materials

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences

• Familiarity with systematic approach to training (SAT) principles and adult learning methodologies

• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and adaptability

• Ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities, if required

Bonus Qualifications:

 

• Experience supporting startup testing, commissioning, or first-of-a-kind nuclear projects

• Experience as a certified nuclear instructor, licensed operator, senior reactor operator (SRO), or naval nuclear instructor

• Experience supporting advanced reactor technologies, including fast reactors or microreactors

• Familiarity with DOE and NRC regulations, INPO guidelines, and accredited training programs

• Simulator instruction or simulator scenario development experience

• Experience with qualification program administration and examination development

• Knowledge of human performance tools and operational excellence programs

• Experience with digital learning platforms, e-learning development tools, or Vision learning software

• Prior experience mentoring or coaching technical personnel

• Familiarity with reactor physics, core design fundamentals, thermal hydraulics, or probabilistic risk assessment concepts

 

Competencies

We are looking for a Nuclear Training Instructor that is:

• Demonstrates strong nuclear fundamentals and technical rigor

• Detail-oriented with a commitment to procedural compliance and training quality

• Comfortable working in a new and developing organization with evolving priorities

• Takes ownership of program development and continuous improvement initiatives

• Thrives in startup and first-of-a-kind program environments

• Promotes operational focus and human performance excellence

• Works effectively across operations, engineering, maintenance, licensing, and training organizations

• Builds credibility and trust with trainees, peers, and leadership

• Open to feedback and committed to continuous learning and improvement

• Strong classroom facilitation and presentation skills

• Able to engage learners with varying levels of technical expertise

• Strong technical writing and procedure development capability

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving advanced reactor environment

• Demonstrates initiative, curiosity, and a continuous learning mindset

• Able to manage multiple priorities and evolving program needs

 

Who you are:

A startup person: You aren't driven by titles or hierarchy, and prefer efficiency to excess process. You don't need or expect to have a lot of guidance but you enjoy working in a fast-paced team. If you prefer the culture and feel of a large organization, that is great, but you likely won’t enjoy working with us! There is plenty of important work and plenty of good opportunities with organizations like that.

Motivated: You are self-motivated. You bring an enthusiasm to the team, and imbue a sense of passion that goes beyond clocking in and clocking out. This isn’t about a fake or arbitrary “pieces of flair” mentality or lack of work-life balance! It is about being a part of the vision and feeling a part of reaching team goals.

A team-player: Oklo genuinely is a team. We aren’t about taking credit for ourselves, and we aren’t about pushing blame to others. We do incredible things because we work as a team.

An excellent communicator: We need a person who is not only technically competent but also a clear and upbeat communicator.

Creative: Being creative means that when things fall outside clear scopes or processes or problems arise without clear solutions, you are able to identify it as well as invent ways to solve a problem or fill a need without micromanagement. The successful person in this job will not only be creative, but also enjoy being creative and solving open-ended problems which may change day-by-day.

Detail-oriented: This focus is a big part of excellence, consistency, and quality. Excellent grammar and spelling matter for both good communication as well as the image of the company that we put forward.

 

About Oklo travel requirements:

Oklo requires remote employees to travel to headquarters (Santa Clara, CA) twice a quarter annually, based on business or team needs, including attendance at team meetings, off-sites, and other company events or gatherings. For the first two weeks of onboarding, employees are required to be in person at headquarters in Santa Clara, CA.

 

About Oklo compensation: $145,000 - $180,000

Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, competitive pay, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits.

 

This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws. Only applicants who meet the definition of a U.S. person under applicable laws may be eligible.

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About Oklo Inc.: 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.

#CHOP: Oklo’s Values
Collaboration: We go further, together. We bring diverse perspectives, listen actively, and build trust through transparency and respect. We work across disciplines, sharing ownership to turn complex challenges into shared successes.
Humility: We are team players who act for the good of the company and for the world. We are focused on our mission, not personal recognition.
Ownership: We take pride in what we do and how we do it. We are proactive in finding solutions and see tasks through  to completion. We are committed to delivering on our promises to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
Pathfinding: We chart new ground where no path exists by approaching challenges with curiosity, courage, and creativity while navigating ambiguity.