Head of Software and Firmware

Aetherflux • San Carlos, CA

26d

About The Position

We are looking for a Head of Software and Firmware to lead the architecture, development, and deployment of the full software stack that powers our space-based platforms—from low-level firmware and embedded systems to onboard compute, autonomy, and distributed data processing.
This role owns the end-to-end strategy across firmware, embedded software, and higher-level onboard systems that enable energy transmission, real-time spacecraft control, and high-bandwidth data processing in orbit. You will define how software and firmware co-design tightly with custom hardware to operate in power-constrained, thermally dynamic, and radiation-exposed environments.
You will work cross-functionally with hardware, spacecraft, GNC, RF, and mission teams to deliver robust, high-performance, and fault-tolerant systems. This is a critical leadership role with significant ownership over system architecture, team building, and execution across both software and firmware domains.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in software and/or firmware engineering, with deep focus on embedded, real-time, or high-performance systems
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Proven experience designing and shipping complex software and/or firmware systems (e.g., embedded platforms, real-time systems, distributed compute systems)
• Strong proficiency in low-level programming (C, C++, Rust, or similar) and experience working close to hardware
• Experience with embedded systems, firmware development, and real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Solid understanding of system architecture, hardware/software co-design, and performance optimization
• Experience leading technical projects or teams with increasing scope and ownership

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing software and firmware for space, aerospace, or other high-reliability environments (e.g., automotive, defense, robotics)
• Deep understanding of radiation effects (SEUs, latch-up) and mitigation strategies at the software and firmware level
• Experience optimizing systems under strict SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) constraints, particularly in edge or embedded environments
• Strong experience with board support packages (BSP), device drivers, bootloaders, and low-level hardware bring-up
• Familiarity with high-speed interconnects (PCIe, Ethernet, SpaceWire, etc.), memory architectures, and data movement optimization
• Experience building and tuning real-time, deterministic systems with strict latency and timing requirements
• Proven ability to design and implement fault-tolerant, resilient systems for mission-critical applications
• Experience with distributed or edge compute systems, including GPU/TPU acceleration or onboard AI/ML inference
• Track record of scaling engineering teams in startup or high-growth environments, including hiring and organizational design
• Demonstrated success delivering complex systems from early concept through production and deployment
• Experience operating within rigorous validation and verification frameworks, including safety- or mission-critical standards
• Strong cross-functional leadership experience working with hardware, systems, and mission engineering teams
• Passion for space systems, energy infrastructure, and building novel compute platforms in orbit

Responsibilities

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for onboard software and firmware across spacecraft platforms
• Lead the design and development of embedded software, firmware, and real-time systems for space environments
• Own end-to-end system architecture across firmware, BSPs, operating systems, middleware, and application layers
• Build and lead a high-performing team of software and firmware engineers, setting technical direction, culture, and execution standards
• Drive full lifecycle development from concept through architecture, implementation, validation, and in-orbit deployment
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, GNC, RF, and spacecraft teams to ensure tight hardware/software/firmware integration
• Oversee development of low-level firmware for processors, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and custom hardware interfaces
• Design and implement real-time control systems, autonomy frameworks, and high-throughput data processing pipelines
• Optimize systems for performance, latency, power efficiency, thermal constraints, and reliability in space environments
• Establish robust testing and validation strategies, including SIL, HIL (hardware-in-the-loop), and mission simulation environments
• Define tooling, infrastructure, CI/CD, and build systems for embedded software and firmware development
• Lead system-level trade studies balancing compute performance, memory, bandwidth, latency, and resource constraints
• Ensure reliability through fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies across software and firmware layers
• Represent software and firmware in architecture 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: Mid Level