Legislative Affairs Associate

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 failsafe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed and run for up to five years without the need to refuel. 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 utilizes modern software engineering to rapidly achieve safe, factory-built microreactors that leverage existing, well-qualified materials. Founded in 2020, Radiant is on track to test its first reactor next year at the Idaho National Laboratory, with initial customer deliveries beginning in 2028.

Legislative Affairs Associate

Radiant’s Government Affairs team is responsible for kickstarting the world’s mobile nuclear microreactor industry. We are building the path from first government deployments to a real, repeatable market where reactors are manufactured at scale and deployed for national security, disaster relief, and other critical uses.

We are looking for a Legislative Affairs Associate to join the team in Washington, DC. In this role, you will help build and run Radiant’s engagement strategy with Members of Congress and their staff, committee staff, leadership offices, caucuses, and relevant executive branch offices. You will represent Radiant with a range of audiences including Members, staff, industry groups, and partners.

You must understand how national security policy and the federal budget process actually work in practice, and how appropriations and authorization decisions connect to real program funding and business outcomes. You understand that congressional priorities are made at the staff level. You should be a self starter with strong writing and speaking skills, and someone who is comfortable taking initiative in a fast paced, team oriented environment.

What you’ll do:

• Execute a bottom up Hill engagement plan: build relationships with policy staff, then works through LDs, Chiefs, and Members.
• Run day to day outreach with offices and committees: schedule meetings, keep touchpoints warm, and track what each office cares about.
• Be the owner of the Hill CRM: keep contacts current, log every touch, track asks and follow ups, and make sure nothing drops.
• Coordinate with our external lobbyist: align targets and timing, share notes, assign next steps, and keep a single shared picture of where every office stands.
• Build and maintain a Hill map: who covers what, who influences whom, and where Radiant has leverage and gaps.
• Draft and deliver clean Hill materials: one pagers, asks, follow ups, talking points, and quick turnaround memos.
• Push appropriations and NDAA adds: line up sponsors, staff support, and coalition backing to get language and funding in.
• Plan and execute Hill visits and facility tours: prep, run the day, and lock in next steps afterward.
• Coordinate messaging across BD, leadership, and outside partners so everyone is saying the same thing.

Required qualifications

• Willing to file as an in-house Lobbyist
• 5 or more years working Congress side or adjacent, including a Member office, committee, leadership shop, or a government relations role that lives on the Hill.
• Proven ability to build relationships from the bottom up and earn trust with staff assistants, LCs, policy staff, LDs, chiefs, and Members.
• Strong working knowledge of the NDAA and appropriations cycle, including how language and funding actually move through staff level workflows.
• Comfortable running congressional outreach like an operating system: keeping a clean CRM, tracking touches, managing follow ups, and coordinating tightly with an outside lobbyist.
• Excellent writing and communication skills with fast turnaround instincts for one pagers, talking points, and clear congressional “asks.”
• Ability to juggle many threads at once, stay organized, and drive work forward without being told what to do.

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.

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.

Benefits and Perks for Eligible Employees:

• 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.
• Beautiful El Segundo headquarters close to the Pacific Ocean.
• Burgeoning satellite offices in Oak Ridge, TN and Washington, D.C., near Capitol Hill.

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.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

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.