Program Development Associate Jobs in Sterling, VA

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’s Federal BD team, under the Chief Revenue Officer, is responsible for kickstarting the world’s mobile nuclear microreactor industry. We are building the path from the first government deployments to a real, repeatable market where reactors are manufactured at scale and deployed for national security, disaster relief, and many other critical uses.
To make this happen, Radiant is seeking a motivated, politically savvy, high-initiative individual. This is not a role where you wait for the next government opportunity to drop. Your job is to help make the work real by building relationships, generating uniform and customer demand and requirements, and helping turn interest into funded programs.

The right person is comfortable in messy org charts and unclear lanes. You can walk into a new office, figure out who owns the problem, and keep pushing until the next person in the chain of command is on board. You write clearly, you follow through, and you care about getting real hardware deployed in the field, not just winning arguments on paper.
Responsibilities & Duties:

• Pursue and capture new opportunities for federal sales of mobile microreactors.

• Research administration and military organizational charts, services, Combatant Commands (COCOMs), and related structures to inform strategic outreach.

• Develop comprehensive stakeholder maps for key military and government customers, identifying decision-makers, influencers, and partnership opportunities.

• Execute detailed engagement plans, including preparing presentation materials, meeting agendas, and briefing documents to support Radiant's business objectives.

• Coordinate high-level briefings with government and military stakeholders, including follow-up and relationship management.

• Support and coordinate contract execution and delivery.

• Collaborate with Radiant's leadership team to refine strategies and mitigate risks in government interactions.

• Draft high quality proposals and memos for government customers.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum of three years working within or with U.S. federal organizations.

• Strong understanding of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other executive branch structures, protocols, and operations.

• Experience working with engineering teams as well as technical concepts and content.

• Excellent writing, communication, and research skills.

• U.S. citizenship required due to the nature of government-related work; eligibility for security clearance is a plus.

Desired Qualifications & Skills:

• Government business development experience.

• Military Flag or General Officer staff experience.

• Experience in government affairs, defense contracting, or business development within the energy or technology sectors.

• Familiarity with nuclear energy, clean tech, or DoD procurement processes.

• Prior internship or work experience in a startup or high-growth environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Working onsite at our Washington, DC office.

• You may be asked to work extended hours or weekends occasionally to support project goals.

• 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: recruiting@radiantnuclear.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: $85,500 - $122,325