Head of Compute Software

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Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure.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.

We are looking for a Head of Compute Software to lead the architecture, development, and deployment of the software systems that power our space-based compute platforms.

This role will own the end-to-end software strategy for onboard compute systems, including real-time control, distributed processing, and high-bandwidth data handling in orbit. You will define and build resilient, high-performance software that operates under strict latency, power, and reliability constraints.

You will work closely with hardware, spacecraft, and mission teams to ensure seamless integration between software and the underlying compute platforms. This is a critical leadership role with significant ownership over system architecture, team building, and execution.

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for onboard compute software across spacecraft platforms

• Lead the design and development of real-time, distributed, and fault-tolerant software systems for space environments

• Own system architecture across operating systems, middleware, networking, and application layers

• Build and lead a team of software engineers, setting technical direction, development standards, and execution velocity

• Drive end-to-end software development from architecture and prototyping through deployment and in-orbit operations

• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, GNC, RF, and spacecraft teams to ensure tight hardware/software integration

• Develop systems for real-time control, autonomy, and high-throughput data processing onboard satellites

• Optimize software for performance, reliability, and efficiency within constrained compute, power, and thermal environments

• Establish robust testing, simulation, and validation frameworks (including hardware-in-the-loop and mission simulation)

• Guide build vs. buy decisions, tooling, and infrastructure for onboard and ground software systems

• Participate in system-level trade studies balancing performance, latency, reliability, and resource constraints

• Represent compute software in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and executive-level discussions

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on distributed systems, embedded systems, or high-performance computing

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field

• Experience designing and shipping complex software systems (e.g., distributed platforms, embedded systems, or real-time systems)

• Strong background in one or more of the following:

  • Distributed systems or cloud/edge computing

  • Embedded systems or avionics software

  • High-performance computing (HPC) or data processing systems

  • Real-time or low-latency systems

• Experience leading technical projects or teams with increasing scope and ownership

• Strong understanding of system architecture and hardware/software co-design

• Experience building software for aerospace, satellite systems, or other mission-critical environments (e.g., aviation, defense, autonomous systems)

• Background in edge computing or distributed systems operating in constrained, disconnected, or high-latency environments

• Familiarity with operating systems, resource management, and performance optimization under strict hardware and power constraints

• Experience designing or operating systems that must be highly reliable in failure-prone environments (e.g., intermittent connectivity, partial system failures, degraded modes)

• Experience with real-time or near real-time distributed systems, including scheduling, orchestration, and low-latency processing

• Background in networking systems, including handling unreliable links, custom protocols, or high-latency communication environments

• Experience building platform or infrastructure layers that support higher-level applications (e.g., compute platforms, internal developer platforms, orchestration systems)

• Proven ability to build or scale systems from 0→1 in ambiguous, fast-moving environments

• Experience working cross-functionally with hardware, embedded, or avionics teams to co-design tightly integrated systems

• Prior experience in high-growth startups or deeply technical organizations where speed and ownership are critical

• Strong intuition for making tradeoffs between performance, reliability, and development velocity in novel environments

• 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

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 based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.