State Engagement Director

Radiant; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 183,500 - 236,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive health plan

One Medical membership

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Parental leave

Catered lunch

Flexible PTO

Team events

Job summary

Radiant is seeking a State Engagement Director to lead state and local government engagement for a fast-growing hard-tech company at the intersection of aerospace, defense, and energy. You will shape policy, enable deployment, and unlock sites where state decisions impact our ability to build and operate, working with policymakers, regulators, and partners in priority states.

You’ll collaborate with internal teams to translate technical concepts into policy positions, oversee external lobbyists,

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in state government affairs, public policy, regulatory engagement, or related roles within energy, defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to influence state-level policy or regulatory outcomes, not just monitor them.
• Strong understanding of state legislative processes, regulatory bodies, and permitting environments.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast-moving environments with limited precedent.
• Clear, confident communicator who can work equally well with policymakers and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute state and local engagement strategies that directly support deployment, industrial development, and long-term operations.
• Influence state legislation, regulations, rulemakings, and executive actions affecting industrial siting, permitting of power generation assets, grid interconnection, and critical infrastructure.
• Lead company engagement with state regulators and public utility commissions; represent the company in hearings, meetings, and industry forums.
• Hire, manage, and coordinate external lobbyists and advisors in key states; set strategy and ensure alignment with company goals.
• Partner on site selection and site-specific strategies for prospective and active locations, coordinating with state and local governments, economic development groups, and community stakeholders.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, legal, policy, communications, and operations teams to translate complex technical concepts into clear policy and regulatory positions.
• Track and actively shape state-level policy developments; provide crisp, actionable guidance to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with state ethics, lobbying, and disclosure requirements.

Skills

State government affairs

Regulatory engagement

Public policy

Policy communication

Regulatory negotiations

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

The State Engagement Director owns state and local government engagement for a fast‑growing hard‑tech company operating at the intersection of aerospace, defense, and energy. This role is highly hands‑on and outcome‑driven, focused on shaping policy, enabling deployment, and unlocking sites where state and local decisions directly impact our ability to build and operate. You’ll work closely with internal technical, legal, and operations teams while representing the company externally with policymakers, regulators, and partners in priority states.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Build and execute state and local engagement strategies that directly support deployment, industrial development, and long‑term operations.
• Influence state legislation, regulations, rulemakings, and executive actions affecting industrial siting, permitting of power generation assets, grid interconnection, and critical infrastructure.
• Lead company engagement with state regulators and public utility commissions; represent the company in hearings, meetings, and industry forums.
• Hire, manage, and coordinate external lobbyists and advisors in key states; set strategy and ensure alignment with company goals.
• Partner on site selection and site‑specific strategies for prospective and active locations, coordinating with state and local governments, economic development groups, and community stakeholders.
• Work cross‑functionally with engineering, legal, policy, communications, and operations teams to translate complex technical concepts into clear policy and regulatory positions.
• Track and actively shape state‑level policy developments; provide crisp, actionable guidance to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with state ethics, lobbying, and disclosure requirements.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 5+ years of experience in state government affairs, public policy, regulatory engagement, or related roles within energy, defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to influence state‑level policy or regulatory outcomes, not just monitor them.
• Strong understanding of state legislative processes, regulatory bodies, and permitting environments.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast‑moving environments with limited precedent.
• Clear, confident communicator who can work equally well with policymakers and engineers.

Desired Qualifications & Skills

• Experience working in or closely with state government, regulatory agencies, or governor’s offices.
• Familiarity with energy markets, grid integration, industrial permitting, or large‑scale infrastructure projects.
• Experience supporting site selection, facility development, or first‑of‑a‑kind deployments.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to accomplish our mission.
• 100% onsite in Washington, D.C. preferred, but flexible for the right candidate.

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.

Compensation Range: $183,500 - $236,250