Senior FPGA Engineer

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionAbout 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 Laboratory next year, with initial customer deliveries beginning in 2028.

About the role

Radiant is seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer to join our Embedded Systems team. You will lead the design, development, and validation of FPGAs for the reactor instrumentation and control system, safety-critical applications, sensor and actuator handling, and communication systems. This role requires close collaboration with hardware engineers, embedded software engineers, and test engineers in a cross-functional setting to architect cohesive designs that meet the rigorous demands of controlling and monitoring fission reactors. You will play a central role in delivering the first commercial reactor design in over 50 years.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Lead the architecture and design of sensor processing systems from concept through integration and field deployment.

• Develop complex logic designs in VHDL and SystemVerilog, establishing coding standards and design patterns for the broader team.

• Integrate and optimize designs onto FPGA/SoC platforms, owning timing closure and resource utilization tradeoffs.

• Define and implement verification strategies, including automated test frameworks and coverage-driven methodologies.

• Mentor junior and mid-level FPGA engineers, conducting design and code reviews to uphold quality and consistency.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

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

• 5+ years of experience designing and delivering FPGA-based systems.

• Expert-level proficiency in VHDL, SystemVerilog, or equivalent HDL.

• Proven track record owning full-cycle FPGA development — from RTL design through simulation, synthesis, and hardware validation.

• Experience in troubleshooting timing closure issues.

• Strong understanding of formal and simulation-based verification methodologies.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience designing and delivering FPGA-based systems.

• Experience with embedded C/C++.

• Experience with the Microchip PolarFire SoC platform.

• Experience with Linux and bash shell scripting.

• Experience with Docker.

• Excellent documentation skills and demonstrated ability to lead in multidisciplinary environments.

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 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 , , , , , or expression, , , , 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.

Compensation Range: $158,000 - $219,450