Senior Thermal and Fluidics Systems Engineer - CEA

Interstellar Lab Inc; Paris; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Interstellar Lab seeks a Senior Thermal and Fluidics Systems Engineer (CEA) to design and optimize controlled environment systems for plant growth on Earth and in space. You will shape air, water, nutrient, gas, and thermal regulation, coordinating with mechanical, electrical, and software teams from concept through commissioning.

The role demands a strong background in thermal engineering, fluid dynamics, and process control, with hands-on experience in irrigation and hydroponics.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in mechanical, chemical, process, or environmental engineering.
• 6+ years of experience with controlled environment systems, CEA, HVAC, or industrial fluid processes.
• Strong expertise in thermal engineering, fluid dynamics, and process control.
• Hands-on irrigation, fertigation, hydroponic or aeroponic experience.
• Experience with air treatment and gas handling systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer controlled environment systems for plant growth across air, water, nutrients, and thermal regulation.
• Develop irrigation, fertigation, filtration, and water treatment solutions.
• Create air handling, humidity control, CO2/O2 management, and airflow systems.
• Lead thermal management for enclosures, canopies, and root zones.
• Perform mass and energy balances at system level.
• Specify sensors, actuators, and control strategies for environmental regulation.
• Produce P&IDs, sizing calculations, and technical specifications; support commissioning and testing.

Skills

Thermal engineering

Fluid dynamics

Process control

Irrigation & fertigation

Air treatment & humidity control

Hydroponic/aeroponic systems

English fluent

French a plus

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Chemical/Process/Environmental Engineering

Job description

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.