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Current energy systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure, making them vulnerable to natural disasters, extreme weather, and physical and cyber attacks.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 Thermal-Mechanical Engineer plays a critical role in the design, analysis, and integration of thermal and mechanical systems for our satellites equipped with high-power laser systems. As a member of the team, you will be responsible for ensuring that all mechanical structures and thermal control systems function optimally in the harsh conditions of space, maintaining the integrity and performance of both the satellite and its laser components.

Responsibilities

• Thermal System Design & Analysis: Develop and implement thermal control strategies to maintain optimal operating temperatures for satellite components, including high-power lasers.
• Mechanical Design & Integration: Design and analyze mechanical structures and mechanisms, ensuring they meet the required strength, weight, and durability specifications for space applications.
• Heat Transfer Solutions: Identify and implement both active and passive thermal management solutions, such as radiators, heat pipes, phase change materials, and thermal insulation.
• Material Selection: Select and validate materials suitable for space environments, considering factors like thermal properties, radiation resistance, and mechanical strength.
• Simulation & Modeling: Utilize thermal and mechanical simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, SolidWorks) to predict system behavior under various operational scenarios and environmental conditions.
• Testing & Validation: Plan and conduct thermal-vacuum tests, vibration tests, and other environmental tests to validate the performance and reliability of thermal-mechanical systems.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with electrical, optical, and systems engineers to ensure seamless integration of thermal and mechanical systems with other satellite subsystems.
• Documentation: Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, analysis reports, test plans, and results.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on emerging technologies and methodologies in thermal and mechanical engineering to enhance system performance and reliability.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in thermal and mechanical engineering, preferably in aerospace or satellite systems.
• Proficiency with thermal and mechanical analysis software (e.g., ANSYS, Thermal Desktop, SolidWorks).
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, including conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Experience with mechanical design and analysis for structures operating in extreme environments.
• Familiarity with space qualification standards and environmental testing protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience with thermal management of high-power systems, such as lasers or electronics in space applications.
• Experience with the design and integration of thermal control systems for satellites or spacecraft.
• Knowledge of advanced thermal management technologies, such as two-phase cooling or thermal storage systems.
• Hands-on experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

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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