Job description
Position Description:
The External Quality Assurance Program Manager reports to the Oklo Quality Assurance Manager and is responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Oklo NQA-1-based quality assurance program, specifically as it relates to the management and oversight of external suppliers and vendors. This role is critical to ensuring that all procured materials, components, and services meet established quality standards and regulatory requirements.
The Quality Assurance Program Manager will work closely with cross-functional teams—including engineering, procurement, and regulatory affairs—to establish quality benchmarks, assess supplier performance, and implement corrective actions as needed. The role requires a strong understanding of nuclear industry standards, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Specific responsibilities may include:
- Conducting initial qualification and quality audits of vendors and suppliers to ensure compliance with regulatory and internal standards
- Monitoring suppliers through surveillance, feedback mechanisms, and performance assessments
- Identifying, documenting, and managing supplier nonconformances, and leading root cause analyses and corrective/preventive action processes
- Maintaining and regularly updating the Oklo Approved Supplier List
- Reviewing procurement documents, contracts, and specifications for alignment with quality assurance requirements
- Collaborating with engineering and project teams to ensure supplier deliverables meet technical and regulatory expectations
- Developing and delivering supplier quality training to internal stakeholders and external partners
- Participating in the design and execution of supplier development initiatives
- Preparing detailed reports and metrics related to supplier performance, audit findings, and quality trends
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives
- Traveling to vendor and supplier facilities (up to 75%) to perform on-site evaluations, inspections, and audits
Competencies:
We are looking for an External Quality Assurance Program Manager who is:
- Detail-oriented and able to manage a wide variety of concurrent projects
- Capable of using sound judgment and discretion in evaluating issues and problems
- Passionate about clean energy
- An optimist at heart
- Passionate about making advanced fission a reality
- Willing and able to learn quickly
- 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 a modern, active voice—make your cover letter compelling and write it well!
- Able to communicate technical content and results in written and verbal formats to a diverse audience
Experience Level:
- Experienced: 5–10 years of quality assurance or program implementation experience in a regulated industry (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, automotive, defense)
- At least 2 years of experience managing people and teams, with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional groups, mentor staff, and influence decision-making at various organizational levels
- Proven track record of leading audits, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives
- Experience in a startup or fast-paced environment is a plus, especially where resourcefulness, autonomy, and adaptability are essential to success
- Comfortable working with external stakeholders and regulatory bodies
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a technical, scientific, or engineering discipline. (In lieu of a degree, 8 years of progressively responsible experience in a quality assurance or related technical role may be credited.)
- Previous or current qualification as a Lead Auditor within an ASME NQA-1-based quality assurance program, with a strong understanding of NQA-1 requirements and their application to supplier quality management
- Demonstrated ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and procurement documents for compliance purposes
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to the nuclear industry, such as NRC, DOE, or international equivalents
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document findings, prepare audit reports, and communicate quality concerns clearly and professionally
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other basic digital tools used for quality documentation and data analysis
Bonus Qualifications:
- Experience with auditing under NUPIC or NIAC, including familiarity with their expectations, procedures, and documentation requirements
- Working knowledge of Commercial Grade Dedication practices and implementation strategies, particularly in complex or high-risk procurement environments
- Hands-on experience conducting Source Inspections and Surveillances, with a focus on identifying potential quality issues early in the supply chain
- Familiarity with industry-specific quality management software systems (e.g., enterprise QMS platforms) and digital audit tools
- Understanding of international quality standards and practices, including ISO 9001 or similar frameworks, and their integration with NQA-1 systems
- Experience drafting or contributing to regulatory filings or technical justifications related to quality assurance
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to the development of strategic supplier partnerships
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 compensation: $150,000-170,000
Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, competitive pay, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits.
About Oklo Inc.: Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) is a fast fission clean power technology and nuclear fuel recycling company developing fast fission power plants to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. Oklo received a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, submitted the first advanced fission custom combined license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and is developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.
