Manager, Instrument Design

Muon seeks a Manager of Instrument Design to build, mentor, and guide a multidisciplinary team of optical and optomechanical engineers. This role focuses on establishing the technical vision, design methodologies, and execution frameworks for multispectral thermal IR instruments.

About the Role

As a technical leader and functional manager, you will define architecture standards, oversight processes, and optical design, analysis, and error budget frameworks. You will guide optomechanical trades, establish vendor management strategies for optical components, and oversee integration with matrixed engineering disciplines across mechanical, structural, and thermal domains. While leadership is the primary focus, you will retain the deep engineering background needed to contribute as an optical subsystem lead. This position is hybrid, requiring on-site work in Mountain View, CA three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of optical and optomechanical engineers; own 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 and guidance for precision optomechanical layouts, optical bench design, mounting, and alignment strategies.
• Define standards and methodologies for stray light analysis and optical coating definition, including spectral filter specifications.
• Maintain technical oversight and vendor management strategy for optical components and subsystems.
• Drive cross-functional alignment with other teams in the EO/IR instruments organization while establishing interfaces with matrixed mechanical, structural, and thermal engineers.
• Establish standards for optical assembly, alignment, test, and calibration in collaboration with instrument systems engineering and AIT groups.
• Serve as the optical lead on select internal R&D initiatives and provide interim technical leadership on early-stage missions prior to program scaling.

Requirements

• 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, including technical leadership roles.
• 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, optomechanical CAD review (SolidWorks), and STOP analysis workflows.
• Proven track record of defining technical specifications and actively managing external vendors for optical components.
• Hands-on experience with precision optical metrology equipment, cleanroom optical alignment, and environmental qualification testing.
• Software proficiency in Python for performance modeling and data analysis.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills with experience managing complex cross-functional engineering interfaces.
• Willingness and ability to obtain security clearance.

Skills

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

Pay

The salary range for this role is $184,000 - $202,000, plus a competitive equity grant.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401k retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Three weeks paid vacation for new employees, 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time, and paid parental leave.

Final compensation will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.