Principal Thermal Modeling Analyst

Radiant Industries•El Segundo, CA

10h•$182,000 - $292,950•Onsite

About The Position

Radiant is seeking a Principal Thermal Modeling Analyst to set the technical direction for thermal and fluid simulation of the Kaleidos microreactor. The role leads complex, high-consequence modeling for a high-temperature gas reactor and defines methods, standards, and validation strategies that inform decisions across reactor systems, cooling systems, shielding, and other areas. As a technical authority, the analyst mentors engineers, influences program-level decisions, and helps drive milestones toward commercialization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a similar field from an accredited institution.
10+ years of relevant industry experience, with a track record of technical leadership on complex, high-consequence programs.
Extensive experience with STAR-CCM+, Ansys Fluent, or other commercial CFD codes, including advanced turbulence and conjugate heat transfer modeling.
Mastery of finite element and computational fluid dynamics principles and methods, with demonstrated experience validating models against test data.
Proficiency with CAD software, specifically Siemens NX.
Experience building automated simulation workflows and scripting tools.
Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and communicate complex technical results to cross-functional teams and leadership.
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
Must work 100% onsite at the El Segundo headquarters.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS or PhD).
Experience with radiation heat transport modeling.
Knowledge of nuclear reactor design, thermal-hydraulics, or safety analysis.
Experience with multi-physics coupling, such as thermal-structural or neutronics-thermal.
Experience with reduced-order modeling or system-level thermal-hydraulic codes.
Experience with regulatory or safety-basis analysis.
Driven, self-motivated, and takes ownership of work end to end.
Aerospace or automotive industry experience; prior nuclear experience is not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical authority for thermal CFD and thermal FEA modeling of Kaleidos reactor systems, owning the most complex and highest-risk analyses.
Define modeling strategy, methodology, and best practices for turbulent flow, heat transfer, and multi-physics interactions, and drive their adoption across the team.
Lead model verification and validation by correlating simulation results with test data and establishing confidence and uncertainty bounds for design and safety decisions.
Architect automated simulation workflows and tooling to expand capability, accuracy, and efficiency, and set the roadmap for simulation infrastructure.
Lead development of reduced-order analysis methods in partnership with design, systems, and test teams.
Influence reactor, cooling, and shielding design decisions by translating analysis results into clear recommendations for engineering leadership.
Mentor and develop engineers, set the technical bar through design and analysis reviews, and contribute to hiring.
Collaborate across disciplines to define analysis requirements, align priorities, and resolve cross-team technical tradeoffs.

Benefits

Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
Medical coverage up to the base silver-level plan for employees and 50% of dependents; plans up to Platinum are offered.
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.
Vision coverage for the top-tier plan for employees and 50% for dependents.
Dental coverage for the top-tier plan for employees, with orthodontia extra, and 50% coverage for dependents.
Voluntary life, accident, hospital, and critical illness coverage, plus commuter and FSA/HSA benefits, are offered as employee-contributed benefits.
Eight weeks of paid parental leave for all parents, plus additional paid pregnancy leave for California employees.
Nuclear Engineering Certificate Program with Penn State University, fully covered for eligible employees.
Daily catered lunch, free snacks, and drinks.
Flexible PTO policy and remote workday allocation.
Company and team-bonding events, happy hours, and in-person camaraderie.