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Current energy systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure, making them vulnerable to natural disasters, extreme weather, and physical and cyber attacks.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 Fiber Laser Engineer at Aetherflux will play a key role in designing, developing, and optimizing high-power fiber laser systems for our satellites. This role requires expertise in laser physics, nonlinear optics, and optical materials. You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, optical, software, and systems engineers to push the boundaries of laser power beaming from space to Earth.

Responsibilities

• Fiber Laser Design: Design and develop high-power fiber laser systems suitable for space-based applications.
• Optical Component Design & Simulation: Use optical design software (Zemax, FRED modeling, etc.) to model fiber laser systems, perform simulations, and optimize performance parameters.
• Prototyping & Testing: Build prototypes of fiber laser systems, conduct laboratory experiments, and perform characterization tests to validate performance against design specifications.
• Thermal Management: Design cooling systems and manage thermal effects within laser systems to ensure stability and efficiency.
• Reliability & Space Qualification: Develop fiber laser systems that meet space qualification, radiation hardness, thermal-vacuum compatibility, and vibration resistance standards.
• Innovation: Stay at the forefront of emerging fiber laser technology and industry trends, proposing novel approaches to improve efficiency and power density.
• Documentation: Generate detailed technical documentation, including specs, test plans, analysis reports, and operational & safety procedures.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate laser systems with satellite power, control, and pointing mechanisms.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in fiber laser engineering, including design, development, and testing of fiber laser systems.
• Hands-on experience with high-power fiber laser systems and fiber optic instrumentation.
• Knowledge of laser physics, nonlinear optics, and optical materials.
• Experience with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, beam profilers, and laser power meters.
• Proficiency with optical design and simulation software (Zemax, FRED modeling, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in fiber laser system development for aerospace or space applications.
• Experience with integration of fiber laser systems into larger mechanical and electrical systems.
• Familiarity with space qualification processes and environmental testing (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation).
• Experience with fiber laser-based energy transmission or communication systems.
• Knowledge of thermal management techniques for high-power fiber laser systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary 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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