Vice President, Management

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.

Radiant is scaling rapidly. We’re looking for a Vice President of People to help preserve what makes Radiant special while building the people infrastructure to support the next phase of growth. This hands‑on leadership role reports to the COO and will lead Radiant’s People function end‑to‑end—culture, performance management, HR operations, total rewards, compliance, employee relations, and systems—while partnering closely with the VP of Talent Acquisition and leaders across Engineering, Operations, and Finance.

You’ll have a Director of People Operations as a direct report and grow the team thoughtfully to about four members by year’s end. The role is based in El Segundo and requires in‑office presence five days per week.

• Build the People function for scale: Stand up the processes, systems, and operating cadence needed to support rapid hiring and organizational growth across HQ and new sites
• Protect and strengthen Radiant’s culture: Identify what makes Radiant “Radiant,” translate it into clear policies and expectations, ensuring they scale as the company grows
• Drive performance and talent systems: Implement performance management, feedback, calibration, and career development frameworks that raise the bar while supporting high‑velocity execution
• Establish rigorous measurement frameworks to quantify People initiatives, track outcomes, and tie people investments to business results
• Build leadership communication infrastructure: Create the systems and rhythms that keep a scaling organization informed and aligned
• Lead employee relations and compliance: Ensure consistent, fair, and legally sound practices; manage sensitive issues with discretion and rigor in a high‑accountability environment
• Own total rewards strategy: Evolve compensation philosophy, leveling, equity administration, benefits, and retention programs to match stage and market realities—including future decisions on PEO structure
• Partner with Recruiting and leadership: Collaborate to forecast hiring needs, improve onboarding, and ensure teams are staffed effectively—especially as manufacturing headcount ramps
• Enable multi‑site operations: Support El Segundo, the DC office (primarily government affairs), and the Oak Ridge facility as it grows into a manufacturing workforce
• Build and lead a high‑performing People team: Hire, coach, and develop People leaders who can scale programs and deliver excellent employee experiences without bureaucracy
• Create scalable operating infrastructure: Optimize HRIS/people systems, policies, workflows, and analytics to help leadership make better decisions and run the business effectively

• Significant experience leading People/HR functions in high‑growth environments (e.g., scaling headcount meaningfully in a short period)
• Demonstrated ability to build People infrastructure from scratch or overhaul it for rapid scale (performance management, comp/leveling, policies, HRIS, etc.)
• Strong judgment and executive presence—you can partner with technical and operational leaders, influence decisions, and handle sensitive situations
• Track record of building culture intentionally, not performatively—especially in intense, mission‑driven organizations
• Experience leading and developing People teams, with a willingness to be hands‑on as needed
• Comfor…