Senior Thermal Modeling Engineer

Radiant Industries, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits

Catered lunch

Flexible PTO

On-site HQ near Pacific Ocean

Job summary

Radiant in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Senior Thermal Modeling Engineer to drive CFD simulations for the Kaleidos microreactor. You will design, develop, and implement high-fidelity simulations to ensure reliability, safety, and performance across reactor systems.

The role emphasizes collaboration across teams in a fast-paced startup, with on-site work at the El Segundo HQ, and opportunities to advance modeling capabilities and workflow automation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or similar field.
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• 5+ years experience with STAR-CCM+, Ansys Fluent, or other commercial CFD code.
• Proficiency with CAD software (Siemens NX).
• Mastery of finite element and computational fluid dynamics modeling principles and methods.
• Experience communicating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute thermal CFD analysis to evaluate design and performance of Kaleidos reactor systems.
• Develop and implement solutions to model turbulent flow, heat transfer, and multi-physics interactions.
• Identify and implement CFD simulation best practices.
• Build automated workflows to expand simulation capabilities, accuracy, and efficiencies
• Collaborate across teams and disciplines to support design of reduced order analysis methods.

Skills

CFD modeling

Thermal analysis

Cross-functional communication

CFD workflow automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

STAR-CCM+

Ansys Fluent

Siemens NX

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.

About the Role

Radiant is seeking a driven Senior Thermal Modeling Engineer with expertise in CFD and thermal FEA modeling. You will design, develop and implement simulations for the Kaleidos microreactor to ensure high fidelity, reliability, and safety of our systems. You'll work on cutting edge technical problems for a high temperature gas reactor that inform decisions across reactor systems, cooling systems, shielding, and more. You will have an opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment and drive milestones forward to unlock commercialization of the first mass-produced nuclear reactor.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Own and execute thermal CFD analysis to evaluate design and performance of Kaleidos reactor systems.
• Develop and implement solutions to model turbulent flow, heat transfer, and multi-physics interactions.
• Identify and implement CFD simulation best practices.
• Build automated workflows to expand simulation capabilities, accuracy, and efficiencies
• Collaborate across teams and disciplines to support design of reduced order analysis methods.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or similar field from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• 5+ years experience with STAR-CCM+, Ansys Fluent, or other commercial CFD code.
• Proficiency with CAD software (Siemens NX).
• Mastery of finite element and computational fluid dynamics modeling principles and methods.
• Experience communicating and distilling information with cross-functional teams.

Desired Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience with radiation heat transport modeling.
• Knowledge of nuclear reactor design.
• Driven, self-motivated, and takes ownership of work end to end.

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.

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.