Associate Buyer

Radiant; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock option plan

Medical plan (base + dependents)

One Medical membership

Vision plan

Dental coverage

Flexible PTO

Catered lunch

Onsite HQ near Pacific Ocean

Job summary

Radiant, an El Segundo, CA-based company delivering transportable nuclear microreactors, seeks an Associate Buyer to support sourcing of components and services for our micro-reactor systems. You will collaborate with SDEs, Engineering, QA, and Operations to evaluate suppliers, negotiate terms, and translate technical needs into sourcing criteria.

The role emphasizes day-to-day PO management, cost analysis, risk assessments, and supporting supplier scorecards, with an on-site expectation at our

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering (or closely related field)
• 1–3 years of relevant experience; manufacturing, hardware, or hands-on engineering project experience is a strong plus.
• Strong technical aptitude with interest in developing commercial/negotiation skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with ERP/MRP systems and standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day PO tracking and expediting for assigned commodities.
• Serve as a point of contact for lower-complexity supplier relationships; escalate the higher-stakes commercial issues appropriately.
• Analyze supplier quotes and cost data to surface savings opportunities.
• Support risk assessments (supplier capacity, technical readiness) using your mechanical engineering background.
• Help track procurement metrics (on-time delivery, cost variance) and contribute to supplier scorecards alongside SDEs.
• Support supplier identification and evaluation on cost, quality, reliability, and capacity, working closely with SDE and Engineering teams.
• Assist with negotiation prep (pricing, lead times, terms) under the guidance of senior supply chain staff.
• Help draft and review MSAs, NDAs, and PO terms.
• Collaborate with SDEs, Engineering, and Quality to translate technical requirements into sourcing criteria.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Problem solving

Technical aptitude

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Office software

Job description

About Radiant

Radiant is an El Segundo, CA-based company building the world's only mass-produced, transportable nuclear microreactors. The U.S. grid is under growing strain, with power demand accelerating, driving higher utility costs, rising carbon emissions, and interconnection backlogs. Radiant has a solution, transportable, on-site power. Our first reactor, Kaleidos, is 1 megawatt: small enough to be factory-built, transported by land, sea, or air, and deployed wherever power is needed. 1 MW can power 1000 homes for five years. Ship it back and we refuel for a 20 year operating life. We made energy a product that can be used for critical infrastructure like military bases, data centers, hospitals, and remote sites, as well as the commercial main street businesses that keep America running. Founded in 2020, Radiant is under contract to deliver power to the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force and has signed pre-order agreements with Equinix, with deployments beginning in 2028.

About the Role

Radiant is looking for an Associate Buyer to join the supply chain team supporting sourcing and acquisition of components, materials, and services for our micro-reactor systems. You'll work closely with Supplier Development Engineers (SDEs), Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Operations, developing hands‑on experience in supplier evaluation and negotiation while contributing engineering judgment to sourcing decisions.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Manage day‑to‑day PO tracking and expediting for assigned commodities.

• Serve as a point of contact for lower‑complexity supplier relationships; escalatethe higher‑stakes commercial issues appropriately.

• Analyze supplier quotes and cost data to surface savings opportunities.

• Support risk assessments (supplier capacity, technical readiness) using your mechanical engineering background.

• Help track procurement metrics (on‑time delivery, cost variance) and contribute to supplier scorecards alongside SDEs.

• Support supplier identification and evaluation on cost, quality, reliability, and capacity, working closely with SDE and Engineering teams.

• Assist with negotiation prep (pricing, lead times, terms) under the guidance of senior supply chain staff.

• Help draft and review MSAs, NDAs, and PO terms.

• Collaborate with SDEs, Engineering, and Quality to translate technical requirements into sourcing criteria.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering (or closely related engineering field)

• 1–3 years of relevant experience; manufacturing, hardware, or hands‑on engineering project experience is a strong plus.

• Strong technical aptitude with interest in developing commercial/negotiation skills.

• Good analytical and problem‑solving skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Comfortable with ERP/MRP systems and standard office software (or willing to learn).

• Occasional travel to supplier locations (up to 30%).

Desired Qualifications

• Interest in nuclear energy or willingness to learn nuclear codes/standards (NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, 10 CFR 21, ASME BPVC Section III & VIII).

• Exposure to supplier audits or inspections.

• Coursework or interest in quality systems (ISO 9001, AS9100).

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

• 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.

• Nuclear Engineering Certificate Program: 100% covered educational program with Penn State University, for eligible employees, to rapidly upscale into nuclear.

• 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.
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.