Principal Turbomachinery Engineer

About the role

Radiant, a startup developing portable nuclear micro‑reactors, is looking for a Principal Turbomachinery Engineer to lead the mechanical design of the high‑speed rotating core of its 1 MW closed‑loop Brayton‑cycle power system. The role is hands‑on, technical‑leadership focused, and reports directly to the system engineering team.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for the turbomachinery mechanical system, owning architecture and design strategy for rotors, shafts, bearings and seals operating up to ~30 krpm.
• Lead rotor‑dynamics, structural integrity and life‑analysis studies, defining requirements from thermal, structural and operational constraints.
• Develop detailed 3‑D models, perform structural and thermal finite‑element analyses, and validate performance through testing and model correlation.
• Define tolerances, fits, stack‑ups and alignment strategies for precision rotating assemblies.
• Collaborate with electrical, thermal and manufacturing teams to ensure integration, safety, reliability and regulatory compliance.

Required profile

• Senior‑level mechanical engineer with extensive experience in high‑speed rotating equipment.
• Proven track record of delivering production‑ready turbomachinery for demanding environments.
• Strong judgment in material selection, bearing technology and seal design.
• Ability to work independently while influencing cross‑functional teams.

Required skills

• Rotor dynamics analysis
• Structural analysis (finite‑element)
• Thermal analysis
• Life‑cycle and fatigue analysis
• Design of high‑speed rotating assemblies (up to ~30 krpm)