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Instrument Development Engineer
Muon Space
Mountain View, CA, USA
Posted on Feb 26, 2026
About the role
Muon Space seeks an Instrument Development Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA, supporting the production of infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer with a versatile skill set who is comfortable working across many layers of technical depth from individual components through system level. In this role, you will own all mechanism subsystems within the infrared instruments, including scanners and cryocoolers, across multiple programs. Previous experience with thermal vacuum and vibration testing and collaborating with engineering teams to refine designs for manufacturing and assembly processes is preferred. This position has significant lab and hands-on work and will be located at our office in Mountain View, CA.
Responsibilities
- Own moving mechanism assemblies, including design and analysis, component sizing, subsystem assembly, performance characterization, and lifetime testing.
- Own Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA) efforts to support continuous improvement and volume production.
- Support control algorithm development and tuning, in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Support subsystem and instrument-level testing, including environmental (vibration, thermal-vacuum (TVAC) testing) and system characterization/V&V.
- Contribute to the continuous development of best practices, processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in mechanisms development.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, and program managers.
Qualifications
- B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in a multi-disciplinary aerospace hardware environment.
- Experience with system integration and delivery of complex hardware/software systems.
- Experience driving right-sized trade studies and identifying system solutions.
- Experience working with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment, including autocollimators and dynamometers.
- Experience with root cause analysis efforts including data analysis and testing.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
- Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week.
- Willingness to obtain a US security clearance strongly preferred.
Nice-to-have Skills
- Experience with optomechanical subsystem concepts and trade studies, design and analysis, including STOP (FEA, Sigfit, Zemax) analysis, tolerance stackups, and alignment planning for infrared imaging systems.
- Basic software/scripting skills for data analysis or equipment automation (e.g., Python, C/C++).
- Experience working in cleanroom environments.
Salary
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 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.