Job Description

Mission

Aetherflux's mission is to deliver energy to planet Earth. Our work will make energy more accessible, establish American energy independence, power underdeveloped and disaster-stricken areas, and protect American warfighters.

Background

Aetherflux is taking a new approach to an old idea called space solar power. Our constellation of satellites will collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit, convert it to electricity, and transmit power through infrared lasers to ground stations, providing reliable energy access where traditional delivery is expensive, challenging, or dangerous.

Current energy systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure, making them vulnerable to natural disasters, extreme weather, and physical and cyber attacks. Aetherflux overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable 24-hour energy distribution from space. This can revolutionize energy generation and delivery, and enable new capabilities as we deliver power to remote regions, military bases, bespoke operations, and unmanned autonomous systems.

Baiju Bhatt, who also co-founded Robinhood, founded Aetherflux in 2024. Inspired by his father’s career at NASA, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before starting Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Aetherflux is currently self-funded through a $10 million investment from Baiju.

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

Overview

The GNC Engineer at Aetherflux will develop autonomous control algorithms, state estimation, and flight software for our space-based energy transmission platform. This role requires expertise in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, and optimization. The GNC Engineer will be responsible for designing, testing, and implementing real-time control systems for spacecraft navigation, precision beam pointing, and laser power transmission. You will collaborate closely with other aerospace, optical, and software engineers to ensure mission success.

Responsibilities

• Guidance & Control System Development: Design and implement autonomous guidance and control algorithms for spacecraft attitude and orbit determination.
• Navigation & State Estimation: Develop precise state estimation techniques using sensor fusion from IMUs, star trackers, GNSS, and other spacecraft sensors.
• Orbit Dynamics & Optimization: Model satellite dynamics and optimize orbital maneuvers for station-keeping, collision avoidance, and trajectory planning.
• Precision Beam Pointing: Develop real-time control algorithms for high-accuracy laser beam steering and power transmission to ground stations.
• Flight Software Implementation: Write and test C++/Python flight software to integrate control algorithms into embedded spacecraft systems.
• Simulation & Hardware Testing: Develop high-fidelity simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments for algorithm validation.
• Failure Analysis & Fault Detection: Implement fault-tolerant control techniques and anomaly detection for robust spacecraft operation.
• Mission Operations Support: Provide real-time support for satellite operations, debugging issues, and refining algorithms based on flight data.
• Collaboration: Work closely with mechanical, electrical, optical, and mission teams to ensure seamless integration of GNC systems.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in GNC algorithm development, spacecraft dynamics, or related fields.
• Strong programming skills in C++ and/or Python for real-time systems.
• Experience with simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or GMAT for spacecraft dynamics modeling.
• Proficiency in state estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filtering, sensor fusion).
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics, attitude control systems, and propulsion-based orbit maneuvering.
• Familiarity with flight software implementation, embedded systems, and real-time computing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Controls, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing GNC systems for spacecraft or high-performance aerospace applications.
• Experience designing precision control systems for high-accuracy beam pointing and power transmission.
• Expertise in nonlinear control, adaptive filtering, and trajectory optimization techniques.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft flight operations, including satellite commissioning and in-orbit troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with spaceflight qualification processes and environmental testing.
• Experience with AI/ML techniques for predictive control and autonomous decision-making.

Benefits

• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Unlimited paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid leave for new parents
• Relocation assistance

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.

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.

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