Firmware Engineer

About Aetherflux

Aetherflux is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity’s most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Aetherflux is transforming how civilization powers, computes, and connects—from orbit to Earth.

Background

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: powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), providing secure, high-bandwidth optical data transport, and delivering energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space).

Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure.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

Responsibilities

• Own firmware development for spacecraft subsystems from concept through on-orbit operations

• Design, develop, and debug embedded firmware for microcontrollers, FPGAs, and custom hardware platforms

• Implement low-level drivers, communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN), and real-time control systems

• Develop firmware for power management, avionics interfaces, sensors, and actuator control

• Build robust, fault-tolerant systems with attention to reliability, determinism, and performance under constrained environments

• Support board bring-up, hardware integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing

• Develop automated test frameworks and validation tools for embedded systems

• Collaborate closely with electrical, avionics, and software teams to define system architecture and interfaces

• Investigate anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement fixes across hardware/software boundaries

• Contribute to system-level design, including fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies

Basic Qualifications

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

• 3+ years of experience in firmware or embedded software development

• Strong programming skills in C/C++ for embedded systems

• Experience working with microcontrollers and/or FPGAs

• Familiarity with real-time systems and embedded debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)

• Experience with hardware/software integration and board bring-up

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing firmware for aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability systems

• Familiarity with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks) and real-time scheduling concepts

• Experience with communication stacks and networking protocols in embedded systems

• Understanding of fault-tolerant design, redundancy, and high-reliability system architecture

• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and system validation

• Familiarity with Python or scripting for test automation and tooling

• Familiarity with Rust, RTL, and knowledge of various database types

• Experience working in fast-paced, high-ownership environments with rapid iteration cycles

• Exposure to radiation-tolerant design considerations for space systems

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 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.