Senior Thermal and Fluidics Systems Engineer (CEA)

Senior Thermal and Fluidics Systems Engineer (CEA) Full-time In-person

At Interstellar Lab, our mission is to build a future full of life, on Earth and beyond. We believe in a world where technology enables humans to live in harmony with nature, where biodiversity thrives and expands, and where terrestrial life becomes multi-planetary.

To build this future, we design autonomous biospheric systems to grow plants with precision, on Earth and in Space. Our AI-powered BioPods and BioCapsules leverage biosciences to reproduce and optimize growth conditions for a wide variety of high-value plants.

On Earth, we pioneer molecular and biofarming, boosting the production of metabolites and bioactive compounds while offering sustainable, traceable, and high-quality natural ingredients to the beauty, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries.

In space, we collaborate with agencies and private companies to develop biofarming units that advance life science research in microgravity and lay the foundation for future biofactories in space, enabling innovative terrestrial applications and long-duration space missions.

About the Role

As Senior Thermal and Fluidics Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for the design and engineering of Interstellar Lab’s controlled environment systems for plant growth. Your role focuses on air, water, nutrient, gas, and thermal regulation, translating biological requirements into robust, efficient, and scalable engineered systems. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to deliver integrated environmental control architectures, from early design through commissioning and operational optimization.

Responsibilities

• • Design and engineer controlled environment systems for plant growth, covering air, water, nutrients, and thermal regulation

• • Engineer irrigation and fertigation systems including dosing, recirculation, filtration, and water treatment

• • Design air handling and gas management systems for temperature, relative humidity, CO2, O2, and airflow control

• • Engineer thermal management for enclosures, canopy, and root zones

• • Perform mass and energy balances for air, water, and nutrients at system level

• • Define sensors, actuators, and control strategies for environmental regulation

• • Produce P&IDs, sizing calculations, and technical specifications

• • Support system integration, commissioning, testing, and performance optimization

• Profile / Qualifications

• • Degree in mechanical, chemical, process, or environmental engineering

• • 6+ years of experience in controlled environment systems, CEA, HVAC, or industrial fluid processes

• • Strong expertise in thermal engineering, fluid dynamics, and process control

• • Hands-on experience with irrigation, fertigation, hydroponic or aeroponic systems

• • Experience with air treatment, humidity control, and gas handling systems

• • Ability to carry systems from design to commissioning and operational tuning

• • Comfortable working close to hardware and multidisciplinary teams

• • Fluent in English, French is a plus

Equal Opportunity Interstellar Lab is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Interstellar Lab does not discriminate on the basis of race, regional color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.