Head of Compute Software

Aetherflux • San Carlos, CA

2d

About The Position

We are looking for a Head of Compute Software to lead the architecture, development, and deployment of the software systems that power our space-based compute platforms.

This role will own the end-to-end software strategy for onboard compute systems, including real-time control, distributed processing, and high-bandwidth data handling in orbit. You will define and build resilient, high-performance software that operates under strict latency, power, and reliability constraints.

You will work closely with hardware, spacecraft, and mission teams to ensure seamless integration between software and the underlying compute platforms. This is a critical leadership role with significant ownership over system architecture, team building, and execution.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on distributed systems, embedded systems, or high-performance computing
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Experience designing and shipping complex software systems (e.g., distributed platforms, embedded systems, or real-time systems)
• Strong background in one or more of the following: Distributed systems or cloud/edge computing Embedded systems or avionics software High-performance computing (HPC) or data processing systems Real-time or low-latency systems
• Experience leading technical projects or teams with increasing scope and ownership
• Strong understanding of system architecture and hardware/software co-design

Nice To Haves

• Experience building software for aerospace, satellite systems, or other mission-critical environments (e.g., aviation, defense, autonomous systems)
• Background in edge computing or distributed systems operating in constrained, disconnected, or high-latency environments
• Familiarity with operating systems, resource management, and performance optimization under strict hardware and power constraints
• Experience designing or operating systems that must be highly reliable in failure-prone environments (e.g., intermittent connectivity, partial system failures, degraded modes)
• Experience with real-time or near real-time distributed systems, including scheduling, orchestration, and low-latency processing
• Background in networking systems, including handling unreliable links, custom protocols, or high-latency communication environments
• Experience building platform or infrastructure layers that support higher-level applications (e.g., compute platforms, internal developer platforms, orchestration systems)
• Proven ability to build or scale systems from 0→1 in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Experience working cross-functionally with hardware, embedded, or avionics teams to co-design tightly integrated systems
• Prior experience in high-growth startups or deeply technical organizations where speed and ownership are critical
• Strong intuition for making tradeoffs between performance, reliability, and development velocity in novel environments

Responsibilities

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for onboard compute software across spacecraft platforms
• Lead the design and development of real-time, distributed, and fault-tolerant software systems for space environments
• Own system architecture across operating systems, middleware, networking, and application layers
• Build and lead a team of software engineers, setting technical direction, development standards, and execution velocity
• Drive end-to-end software development from architecture and prototyping through deployment and in-orbit operations
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, GNC, RF, and spacecraft teams to ensure tight hardware/software integration
• Develop systems for real-time control, autonomy, and high-throughput data processing onboard satellites
• Optimize software for performance, reliability, and efficiency within constrained compute, power, and thermal environments
• Establish robust testing, simulation, and validation frameworks (including hardware-in-the-loop and mission simulation)
• Guide build vs. buy decisions, tooling, and infrastructure for onboard and ground software systems
• Participate in system-level trade studies balancing performance, latency, reliability, and resource constraints
• Represent compute software in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and executive-level discussions

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive