About the job
Director of Software and Firmware Development
About Aetherflux
At Aetherflux, we are pioneering the infrastructure that will drive and interconnect the orbital economy. Our innovative, modular satellites harness solar energy in Low Earth Orbit, providing a range of integrated applications including energy transmission via infrared lasers (both space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data transport.
Today’s energy and data systems depend on intricate logistics and antiquated infrastructure. Aetherflux addresses these challenges by facilitating direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This transformative approach will revolutionize operations both in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly growing space industrial base, In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) operations, remote areas, and mission-critical environments.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt, inspired by his father's contributions at NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju holds a B.S. in Physics and an M.S. in Mathematics from Stanford University. He also co-founded Robinhood, which has empowered over 20 million Americans to access the financial system, and is now a publicly traded company.
Aetherflux has successfully raised $90 million from leading investors including Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.
This mission is ambitious and requires exceptional talent. Our team comprises experts from organizations like SpaceX, Astranis, NASA, Anduril, and the U.S. Navy, and is located in San Carlos, CA. If you are eager to tackle complex technical challenges and contribute to the creation of a generational energy and infrastructure company, we encourage you to apply.
The Role
We are in search of a Head of Software and Firmware to spearhead the architecture, development, and deployment of the comprehensive software stack that drives our space-based platforms. This includes everything from low-level firmware and embedded systems to onboard computing, autonomy, and distributed data processing.
This leadership position encompasses the entire strategy related to firmware, embedded software, and higher-level onboard systems that facilitate energy transmission, real-time spacecraft control, and high-bandwidth data processing in orbit. You will define the co-design principles between software, firmware, and custom hardware, ensuring optimal performance in power-constrained, thermally dynamic, and radiation-exposed environments.
You will collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, spacecraft, GNC, RF, and mission teams to deliver robust, high-performance, and fault-tolerant systems. This is a pivotal leadership role that carries significant accountability over system architecture and performance.

