Aetherflux jobs

Electrical Engineer San Carlos, California, United States As an Electrical Engineer at Aetherflux, you will have ownership over the hardware that drives our space-based solar power systems. This role sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, and optical engineering. Your work will directly contribute to the design, testing, and integration of complex electrical systems, ensuring our satellites perform reliably in space. There may be several focus areas within our engineering team, including power systems integration, space-grade avionics, failure analysis, on-orbit reliability, and hardware testing automation. Placement within these sub-teams will be determined based on your technical fit, expertise, and preferences. Responsibilities: - Design, develop, and test highly reliable electronics for space-based power beaming systems and satellite components. - Evaluate third-party electrical designs and solutions for integration into Aetherflux satellite systems. - Collaborate closely with software, mechanical, thermal, optical, and manufacturing teams to ensure tight integration of all system components. - Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring-up, debugging, and documentation of complex electrical designs. - Provide hands-on support for hardware development from prototype through full-scale production, satellite integration, and in-orbit testing. - Work across disciplines to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware that can withstand the extreme conditions of space. - Continuously improve designs by building tools for analyzing data collected both in the lab and during in-orbit operations. - Troubleshoot and challenge assumptions to find simple, elegant solutions to complex technical problems. Potential sub-systems of Ownership: - Satellite Payload Systems

Embedded Systems Software Engineer San Carlos, California, United States Embedded Systems Software Engineer Location: San Carlos, CA Company: Aetherflux Type: Full-time About Aetherflux Aetherflux is revolutionizing space-based solar power by developing satellites equipped with advanced high-power laser systems to beam clean energy from space to Earth. We are at the forefront of satellite and laser technology, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space-based energy transmission. Join our passionate team of innovators and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in the energy and space sectors. Role Overview As an Embedded Systems Software Engineer at Aetherflux, you will play a crucial role in designing, developing, and testing embedded software solutions for our satellite constellation. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of software with novel payloads and satellite hardware components, contributing to the overall success of our projects. Your expertise in embedded systems development and real-time software will be instrumental in integrating multi-kilowatt class laser payloads with low-earth-orbit satellites. Key Responsibilities - Embedded Software Development: Design and implement embedded software for real-time systems, considering factors such as performance, reliability, and scalability. - Performance Optimization: Optimize software performance through efficient coding practices and algorithm design, ensuring that our products meet high standards of quality and efficiency. - Testing and Debugging: Conduct thorough testing and debugging of embedded software to identify and resolve issues, maintaining the integrity and functionality of the systems. - Hardware Integration: Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to align software development with hardware specifications, enabling seamless integration and

Thermal Mechanical Engineer San Carlos, California, United States We are seeking a highly motivated Thermal Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, and integration of a satellite equipped with a >1-kilowatt laser. The engineer will be responsible for ensuring that the satellite's mechanical and thermal systems function optimally under the extreme conditions of space, safeguarding both the spacecraft and laser systems. - Thermal Design & Analysis: Develop and implement thermal control strategies to maintain operational temperatures for satellite components, including the 1-kilowatt laser. - Mechanical Design: Design and analyze mechanical structures, ensuring they meet the required strength, weight, and stability specifications for satellite deployment. - Heat Transfer Solutions: Identify and implement active and passive thermal control systems, such as radiators, heat pipes, and insulation. - Materials Selection: Select materials for mechanical and thermal subsystems that can withstand the harsh conditions of space, including extreme temperatures, vacuum, and radiation. - Testing & Validation: Plan and conduct thermal and structural testing, including thermal cycling, vacuum tests, and vibration tests to validate designs. - Collaboration: Work closely with optical engineers, electrical engineers, and systems engineers to integrate the laser system and other components into the satellite. - Simulation & Modeling: Use simulation tools to predict thermal and mechanical behavior in various space environments (e.g., orbital and launch conditions). - Documentation: Create detailed technical documentation and reports for design reviews, manufacturing processes, and testing results.

Pointing and Precision Engineer San Carlos, California, United States As a Precision, Pointing, and Tracking Engineer at Aetherflux, you will be responsible for the design, development, and optimization of satellite systems to achieve precise laser pointing and alignment. This role focuses on ensuring accurate positioning and stability of laser beams, which are critical for successful energy transmission from space to Earth. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including optical, mechanical, and systems engineers, to develop control algorithms, fine-tune system precision, and validate the pointing accuracy of our satellite platforms. Key Responsibilities: - Pointing Control System Design: Develop and implement pointing and control algorithms to achieve high-precision laser beam steering and alignment in space environments. - Hardware and Software Integration: Work closely with electrical, optical, and software engineers to integrate pointing control systems with satellite platforms, ensuring seamless coordination between hardware and control software. - Precision Alignment: Design and test systems that ensure precise alignment of laser beams with ground-based receivers, taking into account environmental factors such as satellite motion, atmospheric distortion, and thermal effects. - System Testing and Validation: Lead system-level testing and validation efforts, including lab simulations and in-orbit tests, to verify the pointing accuracy and stability of satellite laser systems. - Performance Optimization: Conduct analysis to optimize system performance, improving beam precision and pointing accuracy while minimizing energy loss during transmission. - Risk Management: Identify potential risks related to pointing precision, such as system misalignment or external disturbances, and implement mitigation strategies. - Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with optical,

Laser Engineer San Carlos, California, United States Overview The Laser Engineer is critically responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing high-power laser systems for our satellite platforms. Your expertise will contribute to creating laser technologies capable of efficiently and reliably transmitting energy across vast distances from space to Earth. You will collaborate closely with optical, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to develop laser systems that meet space application performance and reliability requirements. Key Responsibilities - Laser System Design: Design and develop high-power laser systems suitable for space-based applications, including solid-state, fiber, or semiconductor lasers. - Optical Modeling and Simulation: Use optical design software (e.g., Zemax, Code V) to model laser systems, perform simulations, and optimize performance parameters. - Component Selection and Integration: Select appropriate laser components, including gain media, pump sources, and optical elements, and integrate them into cohesive systems. - System Prototyping and Testing: Build prototypes of laser systems, conduct laboratory experiments, and perform characterization tests to validate performance against design specifications. - Thermal Management: Work with thermal engineers to design cooling systems and manage thermal effects within laser systems to ensure stability and efficiency. - Reliability and Space Qualification: Develop laser systems that meet space qualification standards, including radiation hardness, thermal-vacuum compatibility, and vibration resistance. - Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate laser systems with satellite platforms, including power systems, pointing and control mechanisms, and communication interfaces. - Documentation: Create detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, analysis reports, and operation manuals. - Innovation: Stay abreast of

Opto-Mechanical Engineer San Carlos, California, United States Overview: As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer at Aetherflux, you will play a critical role in designing, developing, and integrating optical and mechanical systems for space-based laser platforms. This role requires expertise in laser system design, optical simulation, and the integration of optical components into highly engineered satellite structures. You will work on innovative technologies to optimize the performance of laser systems under the challenging conditions of space. Key Responsibilities: - Optical System Design: Use optical design software (e.g., Zemax, Code V) to design, simulate, and optimize optical systems for laser-based satellite platforms. - Lens & Detector Systems: Design lens systems, calculate focal lengths, and analyze lens parameters. Work with CCD and/or CMOS sensors to capture images and evaluate performance at the focal plane. - Laser System Design & Integration: Design and model laser systems, including solid-state, fiber, or semiconductor lasers, and integrate them with mechanical structures for space deployment. - Nonlinear Optical Systems: Characterize and optimize laser and nonlinear optical systems, including laser amplifiers and nonlinear optical materials. - Remote Sensing & Beam Propagation: Contribute to the development of laser-based remote sensing technologies such as laser radar, radiometry, and beam propagation. - System Prototyping & Testing: Lead the development, assembly, and characterization of laser and optical systems. Conduct lab testing to validate system designs and ensure they meet performance specifications. - Mechanical Integration: Work closely with the mechanical engineering team to design and integrate opto-mechanical systems for satellite platforms, ensuring that optical components can

Avionics Engineer San Carlos, California, San Carlos, California, United States About Cowboy Space Corp. Cowboy Space Corp is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient, and continuous space-based solar energy. We are tackling humanity's most complex engineering challenge 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. Avionics Engineer The Avionics Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and integration of electrical systems supporting advanced optical and laser satellite payloads. This role will require hands-on work with both electrical and optical components to ensure seamless integration of high-power laser systems and payloads for Aetherflux satellites. You will collaborate with optical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers to develop solutions that meet rigorous performance standards for space applications. This is an in-person role at our San Carlos, CA HQ. You would join us on an aggressive timeline and see your work in space as we conduct our first space demonstration in the summer of 2026. Responsibilities - Design and test electrical hardware for laser and optical subsystems, focusing on power management, control systems, and signal processing. - Develop and maintain schematics, PCB designs, and harness diagrams for laser systems and satellite subsystems. - Conduct testing and validation of electrical systems, including integration with optical components such as detectors, sensors, and laser drivers. - Perform testing and debugging of electrical hardware, ensuring robust operation under various environmental conditions. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams (optics,

Sr. Sourcing and Procurement Manager San Carlos, California, San Carlos, California, United States Sr. Sourcing and Procurement Manager About Cowboy Space Corp: Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities-from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), 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), Cowboy Space Corp. 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. About the role: We are seeking a Senior Sourcing & Procurement Manager ( Individual Contributor ) to support mission-critical hardware programs at Aetherflux. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle of purchase orders and supplier engagement for complex engineered products-ensuring our teams have the materials, components, and services required to meet aggressive development timelines. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and enjoys combining analytical rigor with hands-on execution across supply chain operations. This role is an individual contributor, however there is opportunity for growth into a supervisory role and later a people manager role. Responsibilities - Execute purchase orders, including supplier negotiations,