Lead, Test Engineering

The role

You will own the strategy, execution, and team leadership for testing Kaleidos hardware and systems. You will manage a team of test engineers and build test infrastructure from the ground up to support design iteration and production acceptance.

What you will do

• Lead requirements definition, design, and implementation of test hardware and infrastructure
• Build, commission, calibrate, and maintain test capabilities
• Establish operating procedures, safety controls, and facility readiness
• Define equipment specifications and manage vendor selection and procurement
• Own and lead the test strategy across development, qualification, and production phases
• Serve as the technical authority for test methods and data integrity
• Plan and execute development, qualification, and acceptance tests
• Analyze test data to assess system performance and reliability
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to test engineers and technicians
• Partner with design, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in testing, development, or validation of complex mechanical, thermal, or electromechanical systems
• Hands-on experience building and operating test setups for high-energy or high-temperature hardware
• Experience designing test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, and analyzing test data
• Experience with leak testing methods (helium leak detection, pressure decay) and flow/thermal test setups
• Experience correlating test results with analytical predictions and design intent
• Demonstrated technical leadership and ability to drive complex test efforts to completion
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational skills

Nice to have

• Prior experience managing a team of test engineers or technicians
• Experience with test facility or test stand development from the ground up, including safety reviews and hazard analysis (e.g., JHA, HAZOP, FMEA)
• Experience with hazardous-gas handling
• Experience testing rotating turbomachinery, heat exchangers, fluid systems, mechanisms, or controls
• Experience with structural test methods, including strain gauges, load cells, and test-to-FEA correlation
• Experience with data acquisition and analysis tools (e.g., LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, Beckhoff hardware, PLCs)
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (API, ASME, ISO, ASTM) and measurement uncertainty practices (e.g., ISO 17025)
• Experience with pressure vessel and pressure system testing and safety (e.g., ASME BPVC)
• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other regulated, high-reliability environments
• Startup or fast-paced hardware development experience

Benefits

• 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
• Nuclear Engineering Certificate Program: 100% covered educational program with Penn State University
• Daily catered lunch
• Free snacks and drinks
• Flexible PTO policy

Before you apply

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Must work 100% onsite at El Segundo HQ
• Job offer contingent upon capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls

About the company

Radiant is an El Segundo, CA-based company building the world's only mass-produced, transportable nuclear microreactors. The company is under contract to deliver power to the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force.