2027 New Graduate - Materials Engineer

Socket.dev; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical benefits

One Medical membership

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Paid parental leave

Lunch provided

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Radiant, an El Segundo, CA-based startup, is seeking a Materials Engineer to plan and execute testing, develop manufacturing processes, and guide material selection for Kaleidos.

You will collaborate with design and operations, gain hands-on lab experience, and contribute to a fast-moving team building durable, modular reactors.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Graduating December 2026 or Spring 2027.
• Experience developing, testing, and analyzing materials for demanding load cases.
• Hands-on experimental/testing experience in lab or production environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute materials testing to obtain material properties to inform design decisions.
• Develop and qualify application-specific manufacturing processes related to metals, ceramics, composites, or polymers.
• Provide expert guidance in materials selection for components within Kaleidos.
• Identify, procure, and operate equipment for materials characterization and testing.
• Evaluate data quality and accuracy of material property data for use in company materials database.
• Define or improve manufacturing processes of components to achieve desired material properties.

Skills

Materials testing

Materials analysis

Lab experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Python or similar

Education

BS or MS in Materials Engineering

Graduating December 2026 or Spring 2027

Tools

Material characterization equipment

Design of experiments

Job description

About Radiant

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, fail-safe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed and run for up to 5 years without refueling. 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 leverages modern software engineering to rapidly deliver safe, factory-built microreactors that use existing, well-qualified materials. Founded in 2020, Radiant is on track to test its first reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory this summer, with initial customer deliveries beginning in 2028.

Radiant is seeking a highly motivated Materials Engineerto join the team.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute materials testing to obtain material properties to inform design decisions.
• Develop and qualify application-specific manufacturing processes related to metals, ceramics, composites, or polymers.
• Provide expert guidance in materials selection for components within Kaleidos.
• Identify, procure, and operate equipment for materials characterization and testing.
• Evaluate data quality and accuracy of material property data for use in company materials database.
• Define or improve manufacturing processes of components to achieve desired material properties.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Graduating December 2026 or Spring 2027
• Experience working in the development, testing, and/or analysis of materials for demanding load cases and environments from projects, laboratory work, research, internships, or prior work experience
• Hands-on experimental or testing experience in laboratory or production environments

Desired Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Master’s or PhD degree from an accredited institution in Materials Science and Engineering, or in Mechanical, Aeronautical, Nuclear, or Welding Engineering with a materials science and engineering focus.
• Experience with development and qualification of solid-state processing of materials.
• Knowledge of standard test methods for materials and experience with development of design allowables.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with design and operations teams to deliver high-value results.
• Experience with using text-based software development tools (Python or similar).

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.

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.