Just confirming, I need to load the entire N/record module to use the ENUMs like record.Type.SALES_ORDER, correct?\

As far as I know, there's no way to partially load a module.

I feel like it would be nice if NS would auto load all the enums and just make them ENUM.record.Type.SALES_ORDER, or something. It feels wasteful to load the whole record module just to use the ENUM

What do you need that enum for that you aren't otherwise using the record module for?

Just a transaction search with type of "record.Type.SALES_ORDER" that displays some results in a suitelet

If you're doing a transaction search, you should have access to what you need from the

search.Type

enum as well as search filters.