Junior Operations Engineer Jobs in Idaho (NOW HIRING)

Thank you for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Junior Radiochemist to join our team.

This position will be on-site in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Position Description

Oklo Isotopes is building scalable U.S. radioisotope production capabilities in facilities dedicated to producing essential isotopes for healthcare, space, industry, research, and defense applications. In February 2026, Oklo's Idaho Radioisotopes Laboratory (IRL) located in Idaho Falls received its Material Possession License from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to take a leading role in the manufacturing and distribution of beneficial radioisotopes in the US.

We are seeking a Junior Radiochemist to support radiochemistry operations, isotope production activities, and laboratory execution within a fast-paced and highly regulated environment. This role is ideal for an early-career scientist or engineer interested in developing expertise in radiochemistry, radioactive material handling, analytical chemistry, and nuclear laboratory operations.

The Junior Radiochemist will work closely with senior radiochemists, operations personnel, engineers, and radiation protection staff to support safe and compliant radiological activities while contributing to isotope production, analytical testing, and laboratory process development. This position offers hands-on experience in radiochemical processing, laboratory operations, and operational readiness activities.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Assist with radiochemical processing, isotope handling, and analytical laboratory activities in accordance with approved procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Support preparation, execution, and documentation of radiochemical experiments and laboratory processes.
• Perform sample preparation, radiological characterization, and analytical measurements using laboratory instrumentation and approved techniques.
• Support routine laboratory operations including material handling, inventory management, equipment setup, and contamination control activities.
• Assist with maintaining compliance with applicable radiological safety requirements, laboratory procedures, and operational standards.
• Support radiological surveys, radioactive material handling activities, and laboratory housekeeping efforts.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, technical documentation, and operational data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support isotope production, commissioning activities, and laboratory readiness initiatives.
• Participate in procedure reviews, training activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist senior staff with troubleshooting radiochemical and laboratory process issues.
• Support operational excellence through strong attention to detail, procedural compliance, and safe work practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Health Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 0-3 years of experience in laboratory operations, radiochemistry, analytical chemistry, nuclear operations, or related technical environments.
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety practices and radiological work controls.
• Familiarity with analytical laboratory instrumentation and scientific documentation practices.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and work effectively in a collaborative technical environment.
• Ability to follow procedures and maintain high standards of quality and safety.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Internship, research, or laboratory experience involving radioactive materials, analytical chemistry, or nuclear technologies.
• Experience working in academic, national laboratory, or industrial laboratory environments.
• Familiarity with contamination controls, radiological surveys, or radioactive material handling.
• Experience with isotope production, gloveboxes, hot cells, or radiochemical separations.
• Experience supporting startup, commissioning, or operational readiness activities.

Competencies

We are looking for a Junior Radiochemist that is:

• Passionate about unleashing beneficial isotopes
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence
• Willing and able to learn quickly
• Eager to work on a dynamic team, receive constructive feedback, and grow with us
• Willing to think differently and do things in new ways
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Attention to detail and procedural compliance
• Excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving, while not leaning only on what has been done before
• Willing to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problems
• An excellent writer who can write in modern active voice, so make your cover letter compelling and write it well!
• Sound judgment and decision-making in radiological and operational environments

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:

Salary: $90,000-$120,000

Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, bonuses, competitive pay, 401(k), health insurance (with employer contribution), HSA, FSA, flexible work hours, wellness credits, 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.

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.