Description
About the role
Muon seeks a Staff Optical Engineer to act as a technical lead on our team in Mountain View, CA or Remote, developing infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated expert with a versatile skill set, comfortable diving into everything from conceptual design and error budgeting to precision optical metrology and rigorous hardware execution. In this role, you will be the definitive technical authority for a new optical subsystem, owning the performance metrics while defining and driving the hands-on assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of critical optical and optomechanical subsystems. Previous experience driving end-to-end optical development, managing stringent performance budgets, and integrating complex electro-optical systems in a fast-paced, small-team environment is required.
Responsibilities
- Own the delivery of optical subsystems to the instrument program as the primary technical lead.
- Own and manage comprehensive optical error budgets and performance metrics, including image quality (MTF, WFE), stray light, and radiometric throughput (BOL/EOL transmission) from conceptual design through hardware build and test.
- Collaborate with systems engineering to support cross-functional technical budgets, including thermal constraints and line-of-sight pointing/jitter, ensuring adequate margins throughout development.
- Define and drive the strategy for optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, leading collaboration across cross-functional teams.
- Support subsystem and instrument level functional, performance, and environmental testing (including vibration, thermal-vacuum/TVAC, and thermal stress).
- Champion the continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency and reliability in instrument development.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. and 5+ years of experience developing imaging systems and infrared remote sensing instruments within a multi-disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 8+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 10+ years industry experience.
- Expertise in optical design and analysis (Zemax, Code V, FRED), including interpreting STOP analysis, allocating error budgets, and developing component specifications with vendors.
- Extensive hands-on experience with precision optical metrology, advanced AI&T execution, root cause analysis, and rigorous test data reporting.
- Software proficiency in one or more languages (e.g., Python, C++) for data analysis and automation.
- Demonstrated technical leadership and project management skills, with the ability to clearly communicate and collaborate across optomechanical, mechanical, and thermal teams.
- Ability to obtain security clearance strongly preferred.
Nice-to-have Skills
- Exposure to systems engineering, specifically requirements development and V&V.
- Experience working in cleanroom environments.
- Experience supporting integrated spacecraft-level environmental testing and launch campaigns.
Salary
The salary range for this role is $166,000 - $223,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.
Taking Care of Our Team
At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.
Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.
Similar jobs
Est. 194,500 USD
About the role Muon Space seeks a Senior Optomechanical Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA or Remote, supporting the production of infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated…
Est. 193,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Manager of Instrument Design to build, mentor, and guide a multidisciplinary team of optical and optomechanical engineers. In this role, you will establish the technical vision, design methodo…
Est. 194,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Instrument Systems Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA or Remote, with a focus on infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer with a…
Est. 193,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Manager of Instrument Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) to build, mentor, and guide a multidisciplinary team of optical integration engineers, optical and camera test engineers, and optome…
Est. 194,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to join our team developing infrared remote sensing instruments. You will own stray light control and analysis by defining precise requirements for optical components a…
Est. 194,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Instrument Technical Program Manager (TPM) to join our team. In this role, you will own the end-to-end delivery of state-of-the-art electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) remote sensing instr…
Est. 170,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Camera Systems Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA developing infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer with a versatile skill set…
Est. 203,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Instrument Calibration Scientist to join our team in Mountain View, CA with a focus on calibration of infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engine…
Est. 202,500 USD
About the role Muon Space is seeking a creative and technically rigorous Staff Advanced Programs Lead - EO/IR to join our Mission Innovation team. In this high-impact role, you will lead strategic capture efforts and dri…
Est. 206,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Principal Mission Architect and mission formulation lead to join our mission development team to help direct the development of new mission architectures. The ideal candidate is a self-motivat…
Est. 166,500 USD
About the role Muon Space is seeking a creative and technically rigorous Senior Systems Engineer, EO/IR Payloads to join our Mission Innovation team. In this high-impact role, you will drive the technical exploration of…
Est. 149,500 USD
About the role Muon Space is seeking a creative and technically rigorous Senior Applied Scientist, Geospatial to join our Mission Innovation team. In this high-impact, "zero-to-one" role, you will bridge the gap between…
Est. 206,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Principal Mission Architect and mission formulation lead to join our mission development team to help direct the development of new mission architectures. The ideal candidate is a self-motivat…
Est. 164,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead delivery of next-generation Infrared Satellites. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the intersection of payload engineering and rapid-cycle space veh…
Est. 171,000 USD
About the role Muon Space is building a family of infrared imaging missions designed for global wildfire detection and monitoring, weather and cloud characterization, space-based environmental monitoring, and more. Muon'…
Est. 190,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to serve as a hardware expert in the design of instrument mechanisms. You’ll own the mechanical direction of the instrument mechanical subsystems from requirements d…
Est. 175,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Systems Engineer, Mission Success & Performance to join our Mission Engineering team. As we scale the Muon Mission Foundry, we need a strategic architect of mission success, someone…
Est. 206,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Principal Mission Architect and mission formulation lead to join our mission development team to help direct the development of new mission architectures, with a focus on opportunities outside…
Est. 222,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Staff Software Engineer to join our Information Systems team. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated and versatile software engineer with a strong desire to develop mission-critical internal…
Est. 191,500 USD
About the role We are seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager (TPM) to drive cross-functional planning and execution for our IR Data Product Team. This role will focus on managing the delivery of improvements and new…
Est. 212,000 USD
About the Role Muon seeks a Staff Mission Lead Systems Engineer to join our Mission Execution team. At Muon, we are developing multiple missions to help understand and act on Earth and climate intelligence. As a Staff Mi…
Est. 160,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Mechanical Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate can go deep on design and analysis but also has a "systems mindset" and will be a force multiplier collaborating with other discipline…
Est. 175,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Senior Mission Lead Systems Engineer to join our Mission Engineering team. At Muon, we are developing multiple missions to help understand and act on Earth and climate intelligence. As a Senio…
Est. 212,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Staff Mechanical Engineer to serve as the mechanical design technical lead for one of our satellite classes. You'll own and iterate on the class-level mechanical architecture- bus structure, t…
Est. 229,000 USD
About the Role Muon seeks a Staff Mission Lead Systems Engineer to join our Mission Execution team. At Muon, we are developing multiple missions to help understand and act on Earth and climate intelligence. As a Staff Mi…
Est. 229,000 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Systems Engineer, Mission Platforms to join our Mission Engineering team. At Muon, we are delivering missions to help understand and act on Earth and climate intelligence. As a Mission Platfor…
Est. 186,500 USD
About the role Muon Space is building and operating a growing portfolio of infrared (IR) space missions — starting with the FireSat constellation — that generate mission-critical imagery and analytics of interest to the…
Est. 204,500 USD
About the role Muon seeks a Systems Engineer, Mission Platforms to join our Mission Engineering team. At Muon, we are delivering missions to help understand and act on Earth and climate intelligence. As a Mission Platfor…
Est. 181,500 USD
About the role Muon Space is seeking a creative and technically rigorous Senior Mission Formulation Lead to join our Mission Innovation team. In this high-impact role, you will lead strategic capture efforts and drive ex…
Est. 194,000 USD
About the role Muon Space is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Electrical Hardware Engineer to join our growing team in San Jose, CA. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the design, development, an…