Radiant · 8 hours ago
Associate Director, Space
El Segundo, California, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
8+ years expRadiant is an El Segundo, CA-based startup focused on developing portable nuclear microreactors. They are seeking an Associate Director, Space to lead growth and capture for their emerging space business, engaging with government stakeholders and driving proposal execution.
Clean EnergyEnergyEnergy EfficiencyRenewable Energy
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
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
Qualification
Required
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
Preferred
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)
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.
Company
Radiant
Radiant develops portable nuclear microreactors designed to generate electricity and heat in a compact, factory-built form.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$518.82MKey Investors
Andreessen HorowitzUnion Square Ventures
2025-12-17Series D· $300M
2024-11-14Series C· $165M
2023-04-18Series B· $40M
Leadership Team
Doug Bernauer
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
2026-01-07
The Motley Fool
2026-01-04
Globe and Mail
2026-01-03
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