Senior Software Engineer

Aetherflux is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to powering on-orbit compute, to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.

Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Aetherflux is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.

As a Senior Software Engineer at Aetherflux, you will build the systems that control, operate, and scale our spacecraft and ground infrastructure. This includes flight software, simulation, mission control systems, and the tooling needed to test and operate hardware in real time.

This is a highly ownership-driven role where you’ll work across the stack—from low-level systems interacting with hardware to higher-level services that enable mission operations. You’ll collaborate closely with hardware teams (propulsion, power, avionics) to bring up systems, validate performance, and ensure reliable operation in demanding environments.

• Design, develop, and rigorously test high-reliability, low-latency flight software for our space-based compute platform and satellite subsystems.

• Implement and maintain critical mission software for on-orbit operation, including command and data handling (C&DH), fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR), and secure communications.

• Work across the stack from low-level embedded systems to higher-level mission logic, utilizing systems-level languages (C++, Rust, Python).

• Develop software for ground systems, simulation environments, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to support integration, validation, and on-orbit operations.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware, GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control), and constellation operations, to define and implement software interfaces and ensure seamless system-level functionality.

• Maintain detailed technical documentation, including software design documents, interface control documents, and comprehensive test plans.

• Participate in code reviews, design reviews, and implement continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to ensure the robustness and safe deployment of flight and ground software.

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering (internships and relevant projects count)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

• Proficiency in at least one systems-level language (C++, Python, or Rust)

• Exposure to one or more of the following:

  • Embedded systems

  • Distributed systems

  • Robotics or autonomous systems

  • Aerospace or hardware-adjacent software

• Strong fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and system design basics

• Eagerness to learn and operate in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment

• Proven experience working with real-time systems, multithreading, or concurrency in production environments

• Deep familiarity with Linux systems, including debugging, profiling, and performance tuning

• Experience building or operating distributed systems or networked applications (e.g., TCP/IP, sockets, or service communication)

• Experience with simulation environments or software interacting with physical systems (robotics, aerospace, automotive)

• Exposure to control systems, GNC, or autonomy stacks in a practical setting (not just academic)

• Experience working on high-reliability or safety-critical systems with strong testing and validation practices

• Experience designing or maintaining CI/CD pipelines for complex systems (including automated testing, integration with hardware or simulation environments, and safe deployment practices)

• Work across the full stack—from hardware interfaces to mission operations

• Direct impact on real spacecraft and on-orbit performance

• Fast iteration cycles with tight hardware/software integration

• High ownership and autonomy in a small, high-caliber team

• Opportunity to help define software systems for a new class of space infrastructure

Benefits

• Equity in Aetherflux

• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability and life insurance for employees

• 401(k) retirement savings plan

• Paid time off

• 10 paid holidays per calendar year

• Paid leave for new parents

• 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.

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.