Associate Director, Space

Radiant•El Segundo, CA

38d•Onsite

About The Position

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 failsafe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed and run for up to five years without the need to refuel. 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 utilizes modern software engineering to rapidly achieve safe, factory-built microreactors that leverage existing, well-qualified materials. Founded in 2020, Radiant is on track to test its first reactor next year at the Idaho National Laboratory, with initial customer deliveries beginning in 2028. Radiant’s Revenue team exists to unlock demand for mobile, mass-produced nuclear power. First with government customers, then at commercial scale. We are hiring a strategy and execution oriented Associate Director, Space, to lead growth and capture for Radiant’s emerging space business. This role sits at the intersection of business development and government affairs. Your job is not only to respond to solicitations, but it’s also to make them happen. You will identify (or create), shape, and win opportunities across the civil and national security space ecosystems, including NASA, the U.S. Space Force, the Air Force, and NRO partners. You will cultivate mission demand, help establish and structure new programs, drive congressional strategy, and translate customer needs into executable technical and contracting pathways. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, brings deep experience with space-related government stakeholders, and understands that most capture work occurs well before a contract competition is published. Once an opportunity is defined, you will lead the capture strategy, own senior customer engagement, and drive proposal execution through the award.

Requirements

8+ years of relevant experience in space, defense, aerospace, or national security technology (government BD/capture, program strategy, or government affairs).
Demonstrated familiarity with NASA and DoD space stakeholders (e.g., USSF, Air Force, NRO).
Strong understanding of government acquisition and budget dynamics (requirements, acquisition strategy, contracting, funding).
Exceptional writing and communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior government and internal executive audiences.
Proven ability to operate as an “extreme owner” in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and run with projects on your own.
U.S. citizenship required due to the nature of government-related work; eligibility for security clearance is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Track record of shaping new programs and securing funding.
Experience with space power, energy systems, nuclear, or high-consequence safety/regulatory-adjacent technologies.
Prior service, or experience on Flag/GO staff, or extensive work with senior uniformed leadership.
Familiarity with milestone-based contracting, OTAs, SBIR/STTR, SpaceWERX/AFWERX, NASA procurement pathways, and interagency collaborations.
Startup or high-growth hardware experience (comfort with rapid iteration, imperfect information, and high accountability).

Responsibilities

Create and capture space power opportunities. Find the real space power problems worth solving and turn them into funded programs that Radiant can win and deliver.
Spend time with NASA, Space Force, NRO, Air Force, and their partners to understand what they need to create the demand and infrastructure for net-new programs and missions.
Spearhead commercial partnerships, including teaming partners, to meet commercial or national security objectives, as well as public and private capital opportunities.
Do the work before the RFP exists: help shape the requirement, the acquisition path, and the funding plan so the program can actually happen.
Own and drive end-to-end capture lifecycle, from early opportunity shaping through proposal development and contract award. This includes a multi-hatted person who can operate at the strategic level to support and develop concepts, as well as own the tactical level of driving proposal/whitepaper writing and analysis.
Collaborate with Radiant's leadership team to refine strategies and mitigate risks in government interactions.
Track and influence policy, acquisition trends, and budgetary shifts to inform strategy and identify early opportunities.
Shape programs before they exist by influencing requirements, acquisition paths, and funding strategy, including tracking and engaging on policy, authorization, appropriations, and budget dynamics.
Translate customer needs into product and deployment strategy by converting mission requirements into internal priorities.
Build the bridge to long term commercial demand by ensuring government pursuits strengthen repeatable deployment models, standardization, manufacturability, and scalable market adoption.

Benefits

Stock: Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
Medical: 100% premium coverage for base Silver level plan for employee + 50% premium coverage for dependents. Platinum plans available.
One Medical: Sponsored memberships for eligible employees and their dependents.
Vision: 100% premium coverage for top tier plan + 50% for dependents.
Dental: 100% premium coverage for top tier plan (including orthodontia) + 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.