What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sensors Engineer position at Aetherflux?
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Current energy systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure, making them vulnerable to natural disasters, extreme weather, and physical and cyber attacks.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 Sensors Engineer at Aetherflux will design, develop, and integrate advanced sensing and imaging systems for high-power, space-based energy transmission systems. This role involves working with cutting-edge sensor technologies, including optical, and infrared-based sensors, to enable precise beam steering, feedback control, and environmental awareness for our satellite operations. The ideal candidate will have experience in signal / image processing, sensor fusion, and embedded software development to support autonomous space-based power beaming.
Responsibilities
- Sensor System Design : Develop and integrate sensors for high-precision pointing, tracking, and feedback control of laser power transmission.
- Signal Processing & Data Analysis : Implement signal processing algorithms and sensor fusion techniques to enhance measurement accuracy and consistency.
- Electro-Optical Systems : Design and optimize optical, infrared-based sensor architectures for space applications.
- Embedded Software Development : Develop real-time software for sensor interfacing, calibration, and autonomous control.
- Testing & Validation : Conduct laboratory and field testing of sensors and processing algorithms, including environmental qualification.
- Sensor Integration : Work with electrical, optical, and software engineers to ensure seamless integration of sensors into satellite systems.
- Algorithm Development : Design and develop sensor-based algorithms for object detection, tracking, and closed-loop controls.
- Performance Analysis : Analyze sensor performance and optimize system performance based on real-world conditions.
- Collaboration : Partner with mission engineers, optical engineers, and software teams to enhance system reliability and efficiency.
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Benefits
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.
