Summer 2027 Internship - Materials Engineer

RippleMatch Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Radiant, an El Segundo-based startup building portable nuclear microreactors, seeks a Summer 2027 Materials Engineer Intern to join the team onsite. You will plan and execute materials testing, develop manufacturing processes, and help select materials for Kaleidos components.

Qualifications include pursuing BS or MS in Materials or Mechanical Engineering, hands-on lab experience, and ability to work with design and operations teams. Proficiency in Python is a plus.

Qualifications

• Pursuing BS or MS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in development, testing, and analysis of materials for demanding load cases.
• Hands-on experimental experience in laboratory or production environments.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Materials testing

Laboratory experience

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

BS or MS in Materials Engineering

Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

Python

Job description

Summer 2027 Internship - Materials Engineer

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 Engineer Internto 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:

• Pursuing BS or MS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.


• 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).

Additional Requirements:

• This internship is based 100% onsite at Radiant’s HQ in El Segundo, CA.

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.