Strategic Sourcing Lead - Nuclear & Advanced Manufacturing

Radiant

El Segundo (CA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Radiant, an El Segundo, CA-based company, seeks a proactive Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead discovery, qualification, and development of new suppliers and manufacturing technologies for its micro-reactor program.

You will work closely with Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Operations to build Radiant's supplier ecosystem from the ground up and shepherd new suppliers from concept to reliable on-time delivery.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
3–8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier development, or new product introduction, preferably within manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or energy sectors.
Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
Strong track record of identifying and qualifying new suppliers, particularly for complex or low-volume/high-mix components.
Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), including comfort engaging directly with supplier engineering and operations teams.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and standard office software.
Ability and willingness to travel to supplier locations for capability assessments and audits (up to 20%–40% depending on program phases).

Responsibilities

Supplier Discovery: Proactively identify and research new potential suppliers and manufacturing technologies across domestic and (where permissible) international markets, including specialized, niche, or emerging process capabilities relevant to nuclear-grade hardware.
Design-to-Supplier Matching: Partner with Engineering to interpret drawings, specifications, and material requirements, and translate them into supplier search criteria — matching part complexity, tolerances, materials, and process needs to real supplier capability.
Supplier Vetting & Qualification: Lead initial supplier vetting, including capability assessments, facility questionnaires, and preliminary risk screening, in coordination with SDEs and Quality on technical and quality qualification.
Onboarding: Own the end-to-end onboarding process for new suppliers — from first contact through NDA, capability review, and entry into Radiant's approved supplier base.
R&D & New Technology Sourcing: Research and evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies and processes (e.g., additive manufacturing, novel joining/forming methods) that could unlock new sourcing pathways or de-risk critical components.
New Part Introduction (NPI) Support: Act as the commercial and program-management thread for new parts through their qualification lifecycle — coordinating purchase order issuance, first articles, prototype builds, and pilot runs between the supplier, Engineering, and Quality.
Supplier PM through Production: Once a supplier/part is qualified, manage the transition into steady-state delivery — issuing and managing purchase orders, tracking schedule, resolving early production issues, and ensuring a smooth handoff toward on-time, recurring delivery.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work seamlessly with SDEs on technical/quality qualification, with Engineering on design intent and make/buy decisions, and with Procurement/Planning on transitioning qualified suppliers into the standard sourcing and PO process.
Market Intelligence: Maintain awareness of supply market trends, capacity constraints, and geopolitical risk factors affecting candidate suppliers and technologies, particularly for nuclear-grade and DFARS-relevant materials and processes.
Process Improvement: Help build and refine Radiant's supplier discovery, vetting, and onboarding processes and tools as the sourcing function matures.
Purchase Order Support: Assist with placing purchase orders and monitoring purchase order health (open PO aging, delivery status, discrepancy resolution) as needed to support program timelines.
Supplier RCCA Support: Support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities with suppliers as issues arise, coordinating with SDEs and Quality to drive timely resolution and closure.