Director of Test Engineering

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.

Director of Test Engineering

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.

Director of Test Engineering

Radiant is seeking a Director of Test Engineering to own the design build and execution of developmental and qualification test programs that validate our reactor systems and components. This is a hands-on leadership role: you will build and run a service organization that designs test setups develops instrumentation and data acquisition systems executes test campaigns and delivers high-quality data and reports to engineering teams.

This role is responsible for establishing standard methods tooling and infrastructure that allow Radiant to test hardware at the pace our development schedule demands. The test organization will operate as an internal service to design engineering teamsresponsive fast and easy to work with.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Own the end-to-end execution of developmental qualification and acceptance test campaigns for reactor components and subsystems.
• Design and build test setupsfrom simple bench-level fixtures to complex thermal-hydraulic loop rigs.
• Develop and maintain test plans and procedures that define objectives instrumentation requirements success criteria data deliverables and safety controls.
• Execute test campaigns including hands-on operation of test equipment and supervision of technicians.
• Deliver data packages and test reports to engineering teams with the quality and traceability needed to support design decisions and regulatory documentation.
• Design and build instrumentation systems: sensor selection signal conditioning DAQ hardware configuration and wiring.
• Develop automated data collection monitoring and reduction workflows for real-time insight during test campaigns.
• Establish data management standards: file structures naming conventions metadata capture and archival.
• Establish standard methods for recurring test types: pressure testing leak checks thermal cycling vibration/seismic environmental exposure dimensional verification.
• Build reusable test infrastructure and tooling that can be adapted across programs (KDU KV1 and future production units).
• Create templates and standard operating procedures that lower the barrier for new test campaigns.
• Build and lead a test engineering team (technicians test engineers instrumentation specialists).
• Coordinate Responsible Engineers on development test objectives acceptance test and qualification test execution.

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in test engineering with at least 3 years in a leadership role building or managing test teams or programs.
• Hands-on experience designing and building test setups for mechanical thermal or fluid systems.
• Deep experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems (sensor selection DAQ hardware signal conditioning automated data collection).
• Experience writing test plans procedures and reports with the rigor required for engineering decision-making.
• Track record of establishing standard test methods and processes for an organization.
• Experience leading teams of technicians and test engineers.
• BS in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace defense or energy test environments with qualification testing per standards like SMC-S-016 MIL-STD-1540 or equivalent.
• Familiarity with quality requirements particularly as they relate to test documentation and data traceability.
• Experience with acceptance testing (workmanship verification) and qualification testing (design margin verification)understanding the distinction and designing programs accordingly.
• Experience with thermal-hydraulic test loops pressure systems or high-temperature test environments.
• Experience with Turbo machinery and power generation test environments.
• Familiarity with FEA/CFD tools for correlating test data with analytical predictions.
• Experience building test organizations from scratch at fast-paced companies.
• Prior nuclear experience is not required for this role.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to accomplish our mission.
• Must work 100% onsite at Radiants El Segundo headquarters.
• This is an exempt salaried role.

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.
• Burgeoning satellite offices in Oak Ridge TN and Washington D.C. near Capitol Hill.

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.