Camera Test Engineer II

Muon Space; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Muon Space in Mountain View, CA seeks a hands-on Camera Test Engineer II to bridge camera design and flight hardware verification for next-generation infrared remote sensing instruments.

You will own test campaigns to characterize and space-qualify VSWIR and cooled IR cameras, develop Python-based automated test scripts, and perform post-processing of test data to identify anomalies. Hybrid work on-site three days a week.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree or Master’s with substantial experience in detectors/imaging systems or infrared remote sensing.
• Strong Python programming for instrument automation, hardware interfacing, and scientific data analysis (NumPy/SciPy).
• Experience with precision electrical and optical metrology test hardware.
• Experience in statistical data analysis, post-processing, and test report generation for optical components or camera systems.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills; able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Translate camera system-level requirements into detailed test procedures.
• Develop and maintain Python-based automated test scripts for instrument control, data logging, and test execution.
• Conduct electro-optical performance testing of VSWIR and IR cameras.
• Measure and analyze metrics such as dark current, QE, NEDT, NUC, bad pixels, and spectral filter throughput.
• Design, build, and maintain EGSE/OGSE with test sources like blackbodies and integrating spheres.
• Lead camera-level testing with environmental test teams for ESS, TVAC, radiation, and vibration campaigns.
• Perform post-processing of test data, identify anomalies, and contribute to root-cause analysis for camera or sensor failures.
• Collaborate with Camera Systems Engineers and Optical Test Engineers to ensure full verification of the camera subsystem.

Skills

Python

NumPy

SciPy

Instrument automation

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D.

M.S. + 3+ years

B.S. + 5+ years

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

About the role

Muon seeks a hands‑on, automation-focused Camera Test Engineer II to join our team in Mountain View, CA. In this role, you will bridge the gap between camera system design and flight hardware verification for our next‑generation infrared remote sensing instruments. You will own the execution of test campaigns to characterize and space‑qualify advanced camera subsystems, including VSWIR and cooled IR cameras. This position is hybrid and requires working on‑site in our Mountain View, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Translate camera system‑level requirements into detailed test procedures.
• Develop and maintain Python‑based automated test scripts for instrument control, data logging, and efficient execution of camera test suites.
• Conduct electro‑optical performance testing of VSWIR and IR cameras.
• Measure and analyze critical metrics such as dark current, quantum efficiency (QE), noise equivalent differential temperature (NEDT), non‑uniformity correction (NUC), bad pixel mapping, and spectral filter throughput.
• Design, build, and maintain electrical and optical ground support equipment (EGSE/OGSE), including the integration of test sources, e.g. blackbodies and integrating spheres.
• Lead camera‑level testing and characterization in partnership with environmental test teams for thermal environmental stress screening (ESS), thermal vacuum (TVAC), radiation, and exported vibration test campaigns.
• Perform rigorous post‑processing of test data, identify performance anomalies, and participate in interdisciplinary root‑cause analysis for camera or sensor failures.
• Collaborate with Camera Systems Engineers and Optical Test Engineers to ensure comprehensive verification of the camera subsystem.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. and experience working with detectors, imaging systems, or infrared remote sensing instruments within a multi‑disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 3+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 5+ years industry experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python specifically applied to instrument automation, hardware interfacing, and scientific data analysis (e.g., NumPy, SciPy).
• Proven experience working with precision electrical and optical metrology test hardware.
• Experience performing statistical data analysis, post‑processing, and test report generation for optical component and detector or camera system performance.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
• Excited to work in a fast‑paced environment with new challenges each week.

Nice‑to‑have Skills

• Basic proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) for designing simple test fixtures, brackets, or alignment adapters.
• Experience operating small thermal ovens and TVAC chambers.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $159,000 - $184,000, 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. 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.