Head of Avionics

Head of Avionics

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Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure.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

The Role

We are looking for a Head of Avionics to lead the design, development, and integration of avionics systems across our spacecraft platform. This role will own the architecture and execution of avionics systems, including flight computers and critical interfaces that enable control, communication, and power management on orbit.

You will define systems that operate in real-time, safety-critical environments under strict constraints around power, thermal, and radiation, working closely with hardware, integration, and operation teams to deliver reliable and scalable systems.

This is a critical leadership role with significant ownership over system architecture, team building, and execution.

Responsibilities

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for avionics across spacecraft platforms
• Own system architecture across avionics, hardware interfaces, and system integration
• Lead the design and development of avionics systems, peripheral interfaces, EMI/EMC, embedded architecture, and rapid integrated testing infrastructure.
• Build and lead a team of avionics engineers, setting technical direction and development standards
• Ensure robust communication across subsystems and subsystem leads
• Drive end-to-end development from concept through design, integration, validation, and flight readiness
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other spacecraft teams to ensure seamless system integration
• Establish testing, validation, and qualification strategies for avionics systems, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and simulation environments
• Ensure robust communication across subsystems and subsystem leads
• Optimize systems for performance within constraints of power, thermal, and radiation environments
• Guide component selection, vendor partnerships, and manufacturing processes for avionics hardware
• Participate in system-level trade studies to balance performance, cost, mass, and power
• Represent avionics in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and executive-level discussions

Basic Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in avionics engineering
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Experience designing and shipping embedded or avionics systems in production environments
• Strong background in one or more of the following:
• Real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Microcontrollers, SoCs, or FPGA-based systems
• Hardware/software integration
• Experience leading technical projects or engineering teams with increasing scope and ownership
• Strong understanding of system architecture and embedded system design principles

Preferred Qualifications

• Designed, built, and flown (or deployed) avionics or embedded systems for spacecraft or other mission-critical systems
• Deep understanding of radiation effects (SEE, TID) and have implemented mitigation strategies at the system and component level
• Designed systems under aggressive SWaP constraints and made hard tradeoffs between performance, reliability, and resource usage
• Hands-on experience bringing up and debugging hardware and embedded systems using common interfaces (SPI, I2C, CAN, UART, Ethernet, SpaceWire)
• Built and operated telemetry, command, and data handling (C&DH) systems in production or flight environments
• Developed and used HITL, simulation, and automated test systems to validate hardware and software
• Built systems requiring deterministic, real-time performance in safety-critical environments
• Owned systems end-to-end—from architecture through bring-up, integration, test, and deployment
• Built and led high-performing teams that execute quickly and deliver hardware on tight timelines
• Worked closely with GNC, RF, power, and other spacecraft teams to deliver fully integrated flight 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.

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.