Senior Manager, Embedded Systems Engineering

About Radiant

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, fail-safe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed and run for up to 5 years without refueling. 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 leverages modern software engineering to rapidly deliver safe, factory-built microreactors that use existing, well-qualified materials. Founded in 2020, Radiant is on track to test its first reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory this summer, with initial customer deliveries beginning in 2028.

About the Role

Radiant is seeking a Senior Manager of Embedded Engineering to lead the embedded software engineering team through the critical path to commercialization, planning and executing the embedded software architecture for I&C systems with a direct line to Kaleidos' 2028 deployment target. You will build and develop a high-performing team, manage cross-functional stakeholder relationships, and own execution across the full program lifecycle as we move from development into commercial readiness. The ideal candidate is a proven engineering leader who can operate at the intersection of people management, technical strategy, and organizational influence in an ambiguous early-stage environment. You will have the opportunity to shape the embedded software foundation of the first commercialized portable nuclear microreactor, technology that will redefine how the world accesses clean, reliable power.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Build, grow, and manage a team of embedded engineers, owning hiring, performance, career development, and team culture.

• Partner with embedded technical leads on embedded software architectural decisions, testing frameworks, validation methodology, documentation standards, establishing patterns, and safety requirements.

• Manage cross-functional stakeholder relationships with electrical, controls, hardware, and executive leadership, aligning on priorities, interfaces, and constraints.

• Own program execution across the embedded engineering lifecycle, setting team expectations, managing delivery milestones, and ensuring accountability from architecture through field implementation.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field.

• 8+ years of industry experience in embedded software, including significant ownership of system-level architecture decisions, real-time operating systems, and low-level programming.

• 3+ years of engineering management experience, including hiring, performance management, and team development.

• Deep proficiency in embedded C/C++.

• Track record of translating technical strategy into team execution, setting priorities, removing blockers, and holding the team accountable for rapid delivery.

• Strong communicator who can represent the embedded team's work and needs clearly to non-technical and executive audiences.

Desired Qualifications and Skills

• Masters degree or higher in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of engineering management experience, including hiring, performance management, and team development.

• Experience leading teams working with RTOS and bare metal applications.

• Experience overseeing Simulink Autocode C++ export and integration in a production context.

• Experience managing large, multi-target embedded builds using CMake.

• Ability to engage at the hardware/software boundary, proficient in reading schematics and guiding hardware/software debug efforts.

• Experience in safety-critical or high-reliability domains (aerospace, defense, medical, nuclear, or industrial).

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.

• 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.

• 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.

Total Compensation and Benefits
Radiant compensates people for impact and invests in those who continue to raise the bar. Radiant’s new hire compensation package includes base salary, substantial equity grants, and comprehensive health benefits. Total compensation and level are determined through a rigorous evaluation of interview performance, experience, education, and qualifications, and are designed to support continued growth as scope, responsibility, and impact expand at Radiant.

The best of today’s advanced reactor builders don’t wait for job postings. They join the winning team. If that’s you, contact us directly for immediate opportunities: recruiting@radiantnuclear.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.