Structural & Thermal Analyst, Turbomachinery

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.

We’re looking for a Structural & Thermal Analyst, Turbomachinery to take ownership of the structural, thermal, and mechanical performance of high-speed rotating machinery, including compressors, turbines, and pumps in our power generation and primary cooling systems.   

You’ll work hand-in-hand with mechanical designers, build engineers, and test teams to ensure hardware performs as expected under extreme mechanical and thermal loads. You’ll contribute to trade studies, iterative design, prototype builds, simulations, and testing, making a tangible impact on Radiant’s mission. 

Responsibilities 

• Perform structural and thermal analyses of turbomachinery components and assemblies (i.e. compressors, turbines, rotors, electric motors, bearings, seals, and housings) to guide design decisions and ensure reliability under operational and transient conditions 
• Evaluate static and dynamic mechanical performance, thermal stresses, and coupled thermal-structural effects 
• Conduct fatigue, durability, and rotor-bearing performance analyses for high-speed rotating systems 
• Support analysis of airflow, heat transfer, and temperature distributions within turbomachinery components as part of thermal and structural evaluation 
• Troubleshoot and investigate complex interactions between mechanical, thermal, and rotor system behavior 
• Collaborate with mechanical design, build, and test teams to optimize component designs, assembly processes, and thermal management strategies 
• Support prototype and first-article testing, including test article integration, instrumentation setup, data collection, and analysis 
• Document technical results, communicate findings, and provide actionable guidance to cross-functional teams 

Required Skills and Qualifications 

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Structural Engineering, or a related STEM field 
• 3–5 years of relevant experience performing structural, thermal, or turbomachinery analysis 
• Strong foundation in classical mechanics, stress analysis, and heat transfer principles 
• Hands-on experience with finite element analysis (ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent) for structural and thermal simulations 
• Familiarity with airflow, temperature distributions, and coupled thermal-structural evaluations within rotating machinery 
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills 

Desired Skills and Qualifications 

• M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Structural Engineering 
• Experience with rotor dynamics, critical speed assessment, and vibration/stability evaluations 
• Hands-on experience with high-temperature materials, thermal stress, and high-speed bearing design 
• Prior experience in energy, power generation, or regulated industries (nuclear, aerospace) 
• Knowledge of industry standards (API, ASME, ISO) 
• Prior hands-on experience with assembly, rotor stacking, or prototype hardware is a plus 

Additional Requirements 

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to accomplish program objectives 
• Must work 100% onsite at Radiant’s El Segundo headquar