Strategic Sourcing Manager

About this role

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 proactive and technically-minded Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the discovery, qualification, and development of new suppliers and manufacturing technologies in support of our micro-reactor program. This role is foundational to expanding Radiant's supply base into new commodities, processes, and capabilities as our designs mature. Unlike a traditional buyer role, this position is heavily front-end weighted — finding the right suppliers before a part exists in production, matching engineering intent to real-world manufacturing capability, and shepherding new suppliers and parts from concept through qualification and into reliable, on-time delivery. You will work closely with Engineering, Supplier Development Engineers (SDEs), Quality Assurance, and Operations to build Radiant's supplier ecosystem from the ground up.

Responsibilities & Duties:

- Supplier Discovery: Proactively identify and research new potential suppliers and manufacturing technologies across domestic and (where permissible) international markets, including specialized, niche, or emerging process capabilities relevant to nuclear-grade hardware.

- Design-to-Supplier Matching: Partner with Engineering to interpret drawings, specifications, and material requirements, and translate them into supplier search criteria — matching part complexity, tolerances, materials, and process needs to real supplier capability.

- Supplier Vetting & Qualification: Lead initial supplier vetting, including capability assessments, facility questionnaires, and preliminary risk screening, in coordination with SDEs and Quality on technical and quality qualification.

- Onboarding: Own the end-to-end onboarding process for new suppliers — from first contact through NDA, capability review, and entry into Radiant's approved supplier base.

- R&D & New Technology Sourcing: Research and evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies and processes (e.g., additive manufacturing, novel joining/forming methods) that could unlock new sourcing pathways or de-risk critical components.

- New Part Introduction (NPI) Support: Act as the commercial and program-management thread for new parts through their qualification lifecycle — coordinating purchase order issuance, first articles, prototype builds, and pilot runs between the supplier, Engineering, and Quality.

- Supplier PM through Production: Once a supplier/part is qualified, manage the transition into steady-state delivery — issuing and managing purchase orders, tracking schedule, resolving early production issues, and ensuring a smooth handoff toward on-time, recurring delivery.

- Cross-functional Collaboration: Work seamlessly with SDEs on technical/quality qualification, with Engineering on design intent and make/buy decisions, and with Procurement/Planning on transitioning qualified suppliers into the standard sourcing and PO process.

- Market Intelligence: Maintain awareness of supply market trends, capacity constraints, and geopolitical risk factors affecting candidate suppliers and technologies, particularly for nuclear-grade and DFARS-relevant materials and processes.

- Process Improvement: Help build and refine Radiant's supplier discovery, vetting, and onboarding processes and tools as the sourcing function matures.

- Purchase Order Support: Assist with placing purchase orders and monitoring purchase order health (open PO aging, delivery status, discrepancy resolution) as needed to support program timelines.

- Supplier RCCA Support: Support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities with suppliers as issues arise, coordinating with SDEs and Quality to drive timely resolution and closure.

Deliverables:

- A growing pipeline of qualified, capable suppliers matched to Radiant's evolving design needs.

- Successfully onboarded new suppliers meeting technical, quality, and commercial requirements.

- New parts/technologies moved through qualification and into reliable production delivery.

- Supplier capability assessments and vetting documentation supporting sourcing decisions.

- Identified and evaluated new manufacturing technologies with clear recommendations for adoption.

- Strong collaborative relationships internally (SDE, Engineering, QA, Procurement, Operations) and externally (new suppliers).

Required Qualifications & Skills:

- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.

- 3–8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier development, or new product introduction, preferably within manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or energy sectors.

- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.

- Strong track record of identifying and qualifying new suppliers, particularly for complex or low-volume/high-mix components.

- Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), including comfort engaging directly with supplier engineering and operations teams.

- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems an

Similar jobs

• Strategic Sourcing Manager — Roblox · San Mateo, CA, United States
• Strategic Sourcing Manager — Verkada · San Mateo, CA United States
• Strategic Sourcing Manager — Lumilens · San Jose
• Strategic Sourcing Manager — Zoox · Foster City, CA
• Strategic Sourcing Manager — Iherb · Remote
• Strategic Sourcing Manager — Hadrian-automation · Los Angeles, CA
• Strategic Sourcing Specialist — Northwoodspace · Torrance, CA
• Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager — Zoox · Boston, MA