Director of Policy and Government Affairs

Job Description

Job Description

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 Director of Policy and Government Affairs , to lead the company’s engagement with Congress and help shape the policy, authorization, and appropriations environment required to deploy microreactors across U.S. government customers.

This role sits at the center of Radiant’s federal growth strategy. Because many of Radiant’s deployments will support national security, energy resilience, and mission assurance objectives across the government (e.g., military, FEMA, and more), this individual will help drive legislative strategies that enable customers to fund, procure, authorize, and scale the deployment of advanced nuclear systems.

This is not a traditional policy role. The right candidate will understand how Congress actually works, navigate the authorization and appropriations processes, and translate technical and operational priorities into legislative outcomes. You will work directly with company leadership and cross-functional teams to drive funding and policy support for real deployments.

Responsibilities & Duties:
Congressional Strategy & Appropriations:

• Develop and execute Radiant’s congressional affairs strategy in support of key U.S. government programs, customer priorities, and deployment timelines.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, leadership offices, and personal offices, particularly across defense, energy, appropriations, and homeland security portfolios.

• Identify opportunities to advance authorizing and appropriations language that supports the deployment of advanced nuclear systems for mission-critical government applications.

• Track, analyze, and influence annual authorization and appropriations cycles, hearings, markups, and legislative proposals relevant to Radiant’s customers and priority programs.

• Prepare briefing materials, hearing memos, legislative analyses, and strategic recommendations for company leadership.

• Help shape the external narrative around Radiant’s role in supporting national security, resilient infrastructure, and operational energy objectives.

Cross-Functional Execution:

• Partner closely with business development, policy, regulatory, and technical teams to align congressional strategy with customer needs, capture priorities, and deployment opportunities.

• Translate Radiant’s technical capabilities into clear policy, budgetary, and legislative objectives.

• Support the development of congressional engagement plans tied to specific programs, accounts, and federal customers.

• Provide leadership with clear, actionable insight on legislative dynamics, stakeholder positioning, and emerging opportunities or risks

External Affairs & Stakeholder Management:

• Coordinate with outside consultants, trade associations, think tanks, and aligned partners in support of Radiant’s policy and legislative priorities.

• Support senior executives in congressional meetings, strategic external engagements, and high-priority policy events.

• Build relationships across the broader defense, energy, and industrial base ecosystem to strengthen support for advanced nuclear deployment.

• Ensure compliance with applicable lobbying, ethics, and disclosure requirements.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.

• 7+ years of experience in congressional policy, appropriations, or government affairs.

• Experience working on Capitol Hill or closely with Congress.

• Strong understanding of the congressional authorization and appropriations process.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience working for a congressional appropriations or authorizing committee.

• Experience at a government affairs firm or multi-client policy practice.

• Familiarity with Department of Defense budgeting and program structure.

• Knowledge of nuclear energy, advanced energy technologies, or national security policy.

Additional Requirements:

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

• Must work 100% onsite at our DC office.

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: View email address on ziprecruiter.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.

Compensation Range: $160,500 - $236,250