Mechanisms Engineer
About the role
About Radiant
Radiant is an El Segundo, CA-based startup building the world’s first mass-produced, portable nuclear microreactors. Rising energy demand is straining the U.S. grid and driving up utility costs, emissions, and interconnection backlogs. Radiant decentralizes energy, producing power close to where it’s used. Its first reactor, Kaleidos, is a factory-built, 1-megawatt, fail-safe microreactor that can be transported by land, sea, or air and runs up to 5 years without refueling. Deployed locally without a decade-long build or permitting fight, Kaleidos provides independent power for critical infrastructure like military bases, data centers, hospitals, and remote sites. Founded in 2020, Radiant is under contract to deliver power to the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and has pre-order agreements with Equinix, with deployments beginning in 2028.
About the Role
Radiant is seeking a highly motivated Mechanisms Engineer to design and develop critical mechanisms within Kaleidos. You will solve unique challenges creating efficient and reliable mechanisms that control reactivity or actuate critical safety features. You will be responsible for the following: trade studies, material selection, detailed structural analysis, assembly, integration, and testing. You will have an instrumental impact of fueling the first new commercial reactor design in over 50 years by 2026.
Responsibilities & Duties:
Ownership of critical mechanisms such as the control blade actuator or air jacket valves.
Conduct trade studies and develop designs to meet program requirements.
Perform detailed thermomechanical analysis (static strength, durability/fatigue) and kinematic analysis to determine structural integrity and performance margins using both hand calculations and finite element tools.
Develop and execute manufacturing/assembly instructions and test plans.
Create and manage a Bill-Of-Materials (BOM).
Find and develop suppliers for components.
Own subassembly design, manufacturing, and test schedules.
Own risk analysis (FMEA) for subsystems.
Collect requirements, provide expertise and feedback to engineers in other functional areas via clear, constructive communication.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Mechanical or Aeronautical Engineering.
3+ years of experience designing mechanisms.
3+ years of experience performing stress analysis using both hand calculations and finite element tools (Abaqus, Ansys, FEMAP, or similar).
Desired Qualifications & Skills:
Experience with design of multi-component assemblies in CAD (NX or similar).
Experience designing hardware that was manufactured, deployed, and iteratively improved.
Experience designing pneumatic systems.
Experience integrating electromechanical components such as motors or encoders.
Experience working with interdisciplinary teams.
Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
Proficiency with both “hand calc” analytical methods and higher fidelity finite element-based analysis methods.
Ability to derive free-body diagrams for systems with which one was not previously familiar.
Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
Experience with using text-based software development tools.
Additional Requirements:
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to accomplish our mission.
Must work 100% onsite at El Segundo HQ.
Benefits and Perks
Stock: Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
Medical: 100% up to base silver level plan for employee + 50% dependents, offers up to Platinum plans.
One Medical: Sponsored memberships for employees and their dependents.
Vision: 100% top tier plan coverage + 50% for dependents.
Dental: 100% top tier plan coverage, orthodontia extra, 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.
Total Compensation and Benefits
Radiant compensates people for impact and invests in those who continue to raise the bar. Radiant’s 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 today’s advanced reactor builders don’t wait for job postings. They join the winning team. If that’s you, contact us directly for immediate opportunities: [email protected].
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.
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.