Vice President, People

Radiant is an El Segundo CA-based startup building the worlds first mass-produced portable nuclear microreactors. The companys first reactor Kaleidos is a 1-megawatt failsafe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed and run for up to five years without the need to refuel. Portable nuclear power with rapid deploy capability can replace similar-sized diesel generators and provide critical asset support for hospitals data centers remote sites and military bases. Radiants unique practical approach to nuclear development utilizes modern software engineering to rapidly achieve safe factory-built microreactors that leverage existing well-qualified materials. Founded in 2020 Radiant is on track to test its first reactor next year at the Idaho National Laboratory with initial customer deliveries beginning in 2028.

Radiant is scaling rapidly. Were looking for a Vice President of People to help preserve what makes Radiant special while building the people infrastructure to support the next phase of growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role reporting to the COO. Youll lead Radiants People function end-to-endculture performance management HR operations total rewards compliance employee relations and systemswhile partnering closely with the VP of Talent Acquisition and leaders across Engineering Operations and Finance. Youll inherit a Director of People Operations as a direct report and grow the team thoughtfully (expected to expand to 4 by the end of this year including this hire). Youll be a core culture steward as we scale across multiple sites with the El Segundo HQ as the center of gravity.

This role is based in El Segundo and requires in-office presence five days per week.

What Youll Do

• Build the People function for scale: Stand up the processes systems and operating cadence needed to support rapid hiring and organizational growth across HQ and new sites
• Protect and strengthen Radiants culture: Identify what makes Radiant Radiant translate it into clear policies and expectations ensuring they scale as the company grows
• Drive performance and talent systems: Implement performance management feedback calibration and career development frameworks that raise the bar while supporting high-velocity execution
• Establish rigorous measurement frameworks to quantify People initiatives track outcomes and tie people investments to business results
• Build leadership communication infrastructure: Create the systems and rhythms that keep a scaling organization informed and aligned
• Lead employee relations and compliance: Ensure consistent fair and legally sound practices; manage sensitive issues with discretion and rigor in a high-accountability environment
• Own total rewards strategy: Evolve compensation philosophy leveling equity administration benefits and retention programs to match stage and market realitiesincluding future decisions on PEO structure
• Partner with Recruiting and leadership: Collaborate to forecast hiring needs improve onboarding and ensure teams are staffed effectivelyespecially as manufacturing headcount ramps
• Enable multi-site operations: Support El Segundo the DC office (primarily government affairs) and the Oak Ridge facility as it grows into a manufacturing workforce
• Build and lead a high-performing People team: Hire coach and develop People leaders who can scale programs and deliver excellent employee experiences without bureaucracy
• Create scalable operating infrastructure: Optimize HRIS/people systems policies workflows and analytics to help leadership make better decisions and run the business effectively

What Were Looking For

Required

• Significant experience leading People/HR functions in high-growth environments (e.g. scaling headcount meaningfully in a short period)
• Demonstrated ability to build People infrastructure from scratch or overhaul it for rapid scale (performance management comp/leveling policies HRIS etc.)
• Strong judgment and executive presenceyou can partner with technical and operational leaders influence decisions and handle sensitive situations
• Track record of building culture intentionally not performativelyespecially in intense mission-driven organizations
• Experience leading and developing People teams with a willingness to be hands-on as needed
• Comfort with ambiguity and speed - Radiant is building something new; youll need to create clarity without slowing the company down
• Proficient with data and analytics tools; ability to build dashboards and work fluently with People Analytics data

Preferred

• Experience in hardware manufacturing aerospace/defense energy or other regulated/physical industries
• Experience supporting multi-site organizations and/or launching new facilities (especially hourly/manufacturing workforces)
• Familiarity with ITAR/EAR environments and operating in export-controlled contexts
• Experience with CMMC or similar federal compliance frameworks
• Comfort operating in environments requiring security clearances
• Strong quantitative and systems mindset (HR analytics operating rhythms and scalable process design)

Total Compensation and Benefits
Radiant compensates people for impact and invests in those who continue to raise the bar. Radiants new hire compensation package includes base salary substantial equity grants and comprehensive health benefits. Total compensation and level are determined through a rigorous evaluation of interview performance experience education and qualifications and are designed to support continued growth as scope responsibility and impact expand at Radiant.

The best of todays advanced reactor builders dont wait for job postings. They join the winning team. If thats you contact us directly for immediate opportunities: .

Benefits and Perks for Eligible Employees:

• Stock: Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
• Medical: 100% premium coverage for base Silver level plan for employee 50% premium coverage for dependents. Platinum plans available.
• One Medical: Sponsored memberships for eligible employees and their dependents.
• Vision: 100% premium coverage for top tier plan 50% for dependents.
• Dental: 100% premium coverage for top tier plan (including orthodontia) 50% for dependents.
• Voluntary life accident hospital critical illness commuter and FSA/HSA are offered as employee contributed benefits.
• 8-weeks of paid parental leave for all parents. Additional paid pregnancy leave for CA employees.
• Daily catered lunch. Free snacks and drinks.
• Flexible PTO policy. Remote workday allocation.
• Company and team-bonding events happy hours and in-person camaraderie.
• Beautiful El Segundo headquarters close to the Pacific Ocean.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy age national origin disability status genetic information protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicants capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.