Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer 

Radiant is seeking a highly motivated Mechanical Engineer to develop new hardware in a fast-paced startup environment.  The candidate will be responsible for owning the high-pressure, high-temperature helium circulator through analysis, manufacturing, testing, and integration for the Kaleidos Demonstration Unit (KDU) test reactor. You will develop critical hardware at the center of the reactor Primary Loop while considering performance, reliability, manufacturability, mass, and cost. The ideal candidate has experience building early concept components through production and is excited about our vision to build Earth’s mass-produced nuclear reactors. 

Responsibilities & Duties: 

• Mechanical Engineering ownership of the high-pressure, high-temperature helium circulator   
• Conduct trade studies and develop designs to meet system requirements. 
• Perform detailed thermal and mechanical analysis (static strength, durability/fatigue) to determine structural integrity (margins of safety) using both hand calculations and finite element tools.  
• Develop and execute hardware testing plans and development campaigns to buy-down technical risk.
• Develop and execute manufacturing/assembly instructions and test plans.   
• Create and manage a Bill-Of-Materials (BOM).   
• Find and develop suppliers for all components.  
• Own subassembly design, manufacturing, and test schedules.
• Own risk analysis and mitigation strategies for hardware.  
• 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, Materials, Aeronautical, Civil or Structural Engineering. 
• 2+ years of experience conducting trade studies and design of mechanical components or subsystems.
• 2+ years of experience performing stress analysis (static and fatigue) using both hand calculations and finite element tools (Abaqus, Ansys, or similar).  

Desired Qualifications & Skills   

• Passionate to learn new skills and apply new concepts, including motor design and operating principles, power electronics integration, and basic turbomachinery concepts.
• 2+ years of experience with design of multi-component assemblies in CAD (SolidWorks or similar).
• 2+ years of professional experience designing hardware that was manufactured, deployed, and iteratively improved.  
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
• Proficiency with both “hand calc” analytical methods and higher fidelity Finite Element based analysis methods.  
• Track record of appropriate fidelity selection, based on engineering questions to be answered.
• Ability to derive free-body diagram and control volume-based models for systems with which one was not previously familiar.
• Experience performing CFD analysis for combined fluid/thermal modeling of systems.  
• 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.