Manager, Instrument Design

Muon seeks a Manager of Instrument Design to build, mentor, and guide a multidisciplinary team of optical and optomechanical engineers in Mountain View, CA. This is a hybrid role requiring on-site work three days per week.

About the Role

As Manager of Instrument Design, you will establish the technical vision, design methodologies, and execution frameworks for our multispectral thermal IR instruments. You will serve as both a technical leader and functional manager, defining architecture standards, oversight processes, and optical design, analysis, and error budget frameworks. Your role includes guiding optomechanical trades, managing vendor strategies for optical components, and overseeing integration with mechanical, structural, and thermal engineering disciplines. While leadership is your primary focus, you will also contribute as an optical subsystem lead.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of optical and optomechanical engineers, including hiring, career development, and strategic workforce allocation.
• Establish and oversee technical frameworks, methodologies, and review processes for optical subsystem development, including error budgeting, performance modeling, and STOP analysis across the instrument lifecycle.
• Provide architectural oversight for precision optomechanical layouts, optical bench design, mounting, and alignment strategies.
• Define standards for stray light analysis and optical coating specifications, including spectral filter requirements.
• Maintain technical oversight and vendor management strategies for optical components and subsystems.
• Drive cross-functional alignment with EO/IR instruments teams and establish interfaces with matrixed mechanical, structural, and thermal engineers.
• Develop standards for optical assembly, alignment, test, and calibration in collaboration with systems engineering and AIT groups.
• Serve as the optical lead on internal R&D initiatives and provide interim technical leadership for early-stage missions.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. and 3+ years of experience developing imaging systems and remote sensing instruments; or M.S. and 6+ years of industry experience; or B.S. and 8+ years of industry experience in optical engineering, optomechanical engineering, physics, or a related field. Technical leadership experience is a plus.
• Direct experience developing space-based or airborne remote sensing hardware, specifically multispectral thermal IR payloads or cryogenically cooled imaging systems.
• Expertise in sequential and non-sequential optical design and analysis software (e.g., Zemax, Code V, FRED, LightTools).
• Strong familiarity with optomechanical design principles, CAD review (SolidWorks), and STOP analysis workflows.
• Proven track record of defining technical specifications and managing external vendors for optical components.
• Hands-on experience with precision optical metrology, cleanroom optical alignment, and environmental qualification testing.
• Proficiency in Python for performance modeling and data analysis.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills for managing complex cross-functional interfaces.
• Willingness and ability to obtain a security clearance.

Skills

• Experience working within matrixed engineering organizations and establishing functional boundaries.
• Exposure to systems engineering, including requirements decomposition and V&V.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $184,000 - $202,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

Benefits

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

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 integrated technology stack enables faster time-to-orbit and superior remote sensing performance. Based in Silicon Valley, we specialize in scalable spacecraft manufacturing and rapid payload integration for applications ranging from climate monitoring to national security.

ITAR/EAR Requirements: This position requires access to export-controlled information. Applicants must be U.S. persons (citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees) or eligible for export authorization.