Test Engineer, Mechanical/Fluids

We are seeking a Test Engineer to drive test operations for the development, qualification, and acceptance of our nuclear microreactor technology, with a primary focus on fluid and mechanical systems. This role offers a rare opportunity to bridge engineering, operations, and human factors in a highly technical and fast-paced environment. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to translate complex hardware and software designs into clear, executable test operations, with encompassing test procedures that will efficiently and safely execute test, commissioning, and operational activities.

As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of test engineers, you will help drive test operations to meet Radiant’s requirements in a fast-paced production environment. You will directly contribute to test operations by assisting with test planning and execution, risk identification and mitigation, hardware integration for test campaigns, post-test inspections, data review, and hardware performance analysis.

This position goes beyond traditional systems engineering - you will also gain hands-on experience as a test conductor and test director, directly influencing the development of operational software, procedures, and test ground support equipment.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Perform testing as a Test Conductor/Test Director to gain firsthand experience, ensuring procedures align with real-world execution.

• Partner with design engineers to develop innovative test methods for complex mechanisms and structures.

• Support testing and iterative improvements of fluid, electrical, and structural hardware of the Kaleidos reactor through development, qualification, and acceptance testing.

• Identify and develop appropriate suppliers for component sourcing and fabrication.

• Drive initiatives for continuous improvement in test processes and data delivery quality.

• Support one-off test campaigns in a fast paced, minimum-requirements environment to drive hardware risk reduction.

• Ensure compliance with DOE and NRC standards, maintaining strict formatting, clarity, and usability in procedural documentation.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 2+ years of full-time professional experience in engineering problem-solving, including system design, analysis, or testing.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in mechanical, manufacturing, or other related engineering discipline.

• Ability to apply first principles thinking to solve problems and make decisions in uncertain or ambiguous situations.

• Background in highly regulated industries (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, aviation, maritime).

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and work independently.

• Strong technical fundamentals in fluids and thermodynamics.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Flexible and adaptable mindset - self-driven with the ability to seek out requirements with minimal direction.

Desired Qualifications & Skills:

• Prior experience working in a fast-paced test environments (e.g., rocket engine testing, turbopump testing, component level testing), with familiarity in safety protocols, and high-reliability operations, high pressure gases, safety engineering (FMECAs, Keep-out Zone).

• Experience in regulated or high-reliability environments (nuclear, aerospace, aviation, maritime).

• Experience with high pressure gases, pressure safety and stored energy.

• Experience with thermal, material, and mechanical test fixtures.

• Experience designing, fabricating, or operating fluid systems; ability to read P&IDs and drawings.

• Knowledge of instrumentation: pressure transducers, flow meters, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers.

• Experience with DAQ, PLCs, and analysis tools (e.g., Beckhoff, Python, MATLAB).

• Familiarity with ASME B31.3, B31.1, and BPVC Sections III/VIII.

• Experience with leak detection methods (helium, pressure decay).

• Proficiency with Ion, Epsilon3, NX CAD, Teamcenter.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to accomplish our mission.

• Must work 100% onsite at El Segundo HQ.

Benefits and Perks

• Stock: Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.

• Daily catered lunch. Free snacks and drinks.

• Flexible PTO policy. Remote workday allocation.