Sourcing Specialist

Thanks for your interest in Oklo!  We are searching for a Sourcing Specialist to join our team. 

Position Description

Oklo is seeking a Sourcing Specialist to support purchasing execution and supplier engagement across reactor hardware, systems, and production programs. This role focuses on competitive sourcing, RFP execution, commercial negotiations, and purchase order management in support of high-complexity hardware builds.

This position reports to the Senior Procurement Manager and works cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, legal, and program teams to ensure on-time, cost-effective procurement of critical components.

This position may be based in Santa Clara, CA or remote within the United States.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Execute competitive sourcing events, including RFP distribution, bid leveling, commercial analysis, and supplier selection
• Create, review, and release purchase orders in alignment with negotiated terms
• Partner with engineering teams to understand technical requirements and supplier capabilities
• Support cost analysis and commercial negotiations with suppliers
• Track open purchase orders and ensure alignment with program schedules
• Coordinate with quality and supplier development teams on onboarding and documentation requirements
• Maintain accurate procurement records and support internal reporting
• Drive continuous improvement in sourcing processes and supplier responsiveness

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, business, or related field
• 2+ years of sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a hardware-focused environment
• Experience supporting production or complex product builds
• Familiarity with RFP processes, commercial analysis, and purchase order management
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, cross-functional environment
• U.S. citizenship required

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience building products in nuclear, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, automotive, or other advanced manufacturing industries
• Experience supporting early-stage or high-growth hardware programs
• Familiarity with P2P/ERP/MRP systems
• Working knowledge of technical drawings and specifications

Competencies

We are looking for a Sourcing Specialist that is:

• Passionate about clean energy 
• Passionate about making advanced fission a reality
• 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
• 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!
• Able to communicate technical content and results verbally 

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.

About Oklo compensation:

Salary: $100,000-$125,000

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.

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.