Loads & Dynamics Engineer

Radiant is an El Segundo, CA-based startup building the world’s first mass-produced, portable nuclear microreactors. The company’s 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. Radiant’s 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.

Role Overview

Radiant is seeking a Loads & Dynamics Engineer to own and execute structural loads, vibration, and dynamic analyses for complex mechanical systems associated for Kaleidos, the worlds first portable microreactor and supporting hardware. You will play a critical role in ensuring structural integrity and survivability across all phases of the product lifecycle, including manufacturing, transportation, handling, deployment, and operational environments.

This role requires a hands-on engineer who is comfortable working in ambiguous, fast-paced environments and collaborating closely with structures, mechanical design, thermal, nuclear, and test teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own static, dynamic, and transient loads for reactor systems, support structures, and transport configurations
• Perform structural dynamics analyses, including modal, random vibration, shock, sine vibration, and fatigue assessments
• Implement explicit dynamics simulations to model nonlinear reactor response under transient seismic and transportation event cases
• Define and analyze transportation and handling environments, including shock and vibration from road, rail, air, or sea transport
• Generate load cases and environments to support structural sizing, design margins, and verification plans
• Conduct finite element analyses (FEA) using tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar tools
• Collaborate with design engineers to influence hardware architecture, material selection, and joint design
• Support test planning and correlation, including shaker tests, modal surveys, and structural verification testing
• Develop and maintain analysis documentation, reports, and requirements for internal reviews and regulatory interfaces
• Contribute to failure investigations, root cause analyses, and design improvements
• Help establish best practices for loads, dynamics, and structural verification within a growing engineering organization

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field
• 3 years of experience in loads, dynamics, or structural analysis for complex mechanical systems
• Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, dynamics, and vibration
• Experience with finite element modeling and analysis of metallic and composite structures
• Proficiency with industry-standard FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran)
• Familiarity with design allowables, safety factors, and margin-of-safety methodologies
• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate analysis results clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, launch, defense, nuclear, or heavy industrial hardware environments
• Dynamics modeling software experience (LD-Dyna, Abaqus explicit, or other)
• Background in shock and vibration testing and test-article correlation
• Knowledge of fatigue, fracture mechanics, and bolted joint analysis
• Experience defining or interpreting environmental specifications and requirements
• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline
• Familiarity with nuclear, spaceflight, or safety-critical system requirements

Total Compensation and Benefits

Radiant's new hire compensation package includes base salary, substantial equity grants, and comprehensive benefits. Total compensation and level are determined through a holistic evaluation of your interview performance, experience, education, and qualifications. 

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 applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.