Head of Software Engineering

Head of Software and Firmware | Job Description

About Aetherflux

Aetherflux is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high-bandwidth optical data transport.

Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Aetherflux overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will fundamentally change how we operate in orbit and on Earth—supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and mission-critical environments.

Aetherflux was founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt. Inspired by his father’s work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system.

Aetherflux has raised $90 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.

This is an ambitious mission that demands extraordinary talent. Aetherflux’s team has worked at places like SpaceX, Astranis, NASA, Anduril, and the U.S. Navy, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build a generational energy and infrastructure company, we want to hear from you.

The Role

We are looking for a Head of Software and Firmware to lead the architecture, development, and deployment of the full software stack that powers our space-based platforms—from low-level firmware and embedded systems to onboard compute, autonomy, and distributed data processing.

This role owns the end-to-end strategy across firmware, embedded software, and higher-level onboard systems that enable energy transmission, real-time spacecraft control, and high-bandwidth data processing in orbit. You will define how software and firmware co-design tightly with custom hardware to operate in power-constrained, thermally dynamic, and radiation-exposed environments.

You will work cross-functionally with hardware, spacecraft, GNC, RF, and mission teams to deliver robust, high-performance, and fault-tolerant systems. This is a critical leadership role with significant ownership over system architecture, team building, and execution across both software and firmware domains.

Responsibilities

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for onboard software and firmware across spacecraft platforms
• Lead the design and development of embedded software, firmware, and real-time systems for space environments
• Own end-to-end system architecture across firmware, BSPs, operating systems, middleware, and application layers
• Build and lead a high-performing team of software and firmware engineers, setting technical direction, culture, and execution standards
• Drive full lifecycle development from concept through architecture, implementation, validation, and in-orbit deployment
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, GNC, RF, and spacecraft teams to ensure tight hardware/software/firmware integration
• Oversee development of low-level firmware for processors, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and custom hardware interfaces
• Design and implement real-time control systems, autonomy frameworks, and high-throughput data processing pipelines
• Optimize systems for performance, latency, power efficiency, thermal constraints, and reliability in space environments
• Establish robust testing and validation strategies, including SIL, HIL (hardware-in-the-loop), and mission simulation environments
• Define tooling, infrastructure, CI/CD, and build systems for embedded software and firmware development
• Lead system-level trade studies balancing compute performance, memory, bandwidth, latency, and resource constraints
• Ensure reliability through fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies across software and firmware layers
• Represent software and firmware in architecture reviews, PDR/CDR, and executive-level discussions

Basic Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in software and/or firmware engineering, with deep focus on embedded, real-time, or high-performance systems
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Proven experience designing and shipping complex software and/or firmware systems (e.g., embedded platforms, real-time systems, distributed compute systems)
• Strong proficiency in low-level programming (C, C , Rust, or similar) and experience working close to hardware
• Experience with embedded systems, firmware development, and real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Solid understanding of system architecture, hardware/software co-design, and performance optimization
• Experience leading technical projects or teams with increasing scope and ownership

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software and firmware for space, aerospace, or other high-reliability environments (e.g., automotive, defense, robotics)
• Deep understanding of radiation effects (SEUs, latch-up) and mitigation strategies at the software and firmware level
• Experience optimizing systems under strict SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) constraints, particularly in edge or embedded environments
• Strong experience with board support packages (BSP), device drivers, bootloaders, and low-level hardware bring-up
• Familiarity with high-speed interconnects (PCIe, Ethernet, SpaceWire, etc.), memory architectures, and data movement optimization
• Experience building and tuning real-time, deterministic systems with strict latency and timing requirements
• Proven ability to design and implement fault-tolerant, resilient systems for mission-critical applications
• Experience with distributed or edge compute systems, including GPU/TPU acceleration or onboard AI/ML inference
• Track record of scaling engineering teams in startup or high-growth environments, including hiring and organizational design
• Demonstrated success delivering complex systems from early concept through production and deployment
• Experience operating within rigorous validation and verification frameworks, including safety- or mission-critical standards
• Strong cross-functional leadership experience working with hardware, systems, and mission engineering teams
• Passion for space systems, energy infrastructure, and building novel compute platforms in orbit

Benefits

• Equity in Aetherflux
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid leave for new parents
• Relocation assistance
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

Disclaimer

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Aetherflux’s discretion.

Export Control Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Aetherflux is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Aetherflux is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination.