Staff Optical Engineer

Staff Optical Engineer

Muon Space is seeking an experienced Staff Optical Engineer to serve as a technical lead in Mountain View, CA, focusing on the development of infrared remote sensing instruments. This is a hybrid role requiring three days per week in our Mountain View office.

About the Role

As the technical lead for a new optical subsystem, you will own its performance metrics and drive the hands-on assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) of critical optical and optomechanical subsystems. You must be a self-motivated expert with a versatile skill set, comfortable with conceptual design, error budgeting, precision optical metrology, and rigorous hardware execution. Proven experience in end-to-end optical development, managing stringent performance budgets, and integrating complex electro-optical systems in a fast-paced, small-team environment is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of optical subsystems to the instrument program as the primary technical authority.
• Own and manage comprehensive optical error budgets and performance metrics, including image quality (MTF, WFE), stray light, and radiometric throughput (BOL/EOL transmission) from concept through build and test.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to support cross-functional technical budgets (e.g., thermal constraints, line-of-sight pointing/jitter), ensuring adequate margins.
• Define and drive the strategy for optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and execution, leading cross-functional teams.
• Support subsystem and instrument-level functional, performance, and environmental testing (vibration, thermal-vacuum/TVAC, thermal stress).
• Champion continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices.

Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience developing imaging systems and infrared remote sensing instruments in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Expertise in optical design and analysis software (Zemax, Code V, FRED), including STOP analysis, error budget allocation, and vendor component specification.
• Extensive hands-on experience with precision optical metrology, advanced AI&T execution, root cause analysis, and rigorous test data reporting.
• Software proficiency in Python, C++, or similar for data analysis and automation.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and project management skills, with strong communication and collaboration abilities across optomechanical, mechanical, and thermal teams.
• Ability to obtain security clearance is strongly preferred.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Exposure to systems engineering, including requirements development and Verification & Validation (V&V).
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.
• Experience supporting integrated spacecraft-level environmental testing and launch campaigns.

Salary & Compensation

• Salary Range: $184,000 - $223,000 per year.
• Competitive equity grant.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Final compensation determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider designing, building, and operating LEO satellite constellations for mission-critical data delivery. Our integrated technology stack accelerates time-to-orbit and enhances remote sensing performance for applications ranging from climate monitoring to national security. Our Silicon Valley facility is optimized for spacecraft manufacturing and scalable payload integration.

Taking Care of Our Team

In addition to salary and equity, full-time employees receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401k retirement plan.
• Short & long-term disability and life insurance.
• Three weeks paid vacation.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Unlimited sick time.
• Paid parental leave.

Muon Space is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic workforce. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the application process.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export-controlled information. Applicants must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) or eligible to access export-controlled information without required authorization, or likely to obtain such authorization. The Company reserves the right to decline the export licensing process.