Camera Test Engineer II Mountain View, CA

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare

401k retirement plan

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Sick time

Parental leave

Job summary

Muon Space seeks a hands-on, automation-focused Camera Test Engineer II to bridge camera design and flight hardware verification for VSWIR and cooled IR cameras. You will own test campaigns to characterize and space-qualify advanced subsystems in Mountain View, with a hybrid on-site schedule three days per week.

You will develop Python automation for instrument control, perform electro-optical testing, and work with environmental test teams on ESS/TVAC campaigns.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with experience in detectors/imaging or infrared instruments, or MS with 3+ years industry experience; or BS with 5+ years industry experience.
• Strong Python for instrument automation and data analysis (NumPy, SciPy).
• Experience with precision electrical and optical metrology test hardware.
• Experience in statistical data analysis and test reports for optical components and camera systems.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment with weekly challenges.

Responsibilities

• Translate camera system requirements into detailed test procedures.
• Develop and maintain Python-based automated test scripts for instrument control and data logging.
• Conduct electro-optical testing of VSWIR and IR cameras and analyze metrics like dark current, QE, NEDT, NUC, and bad pixels.
• Design, build, and maintain EGSE/OGSE hardware, including integration of test sources like blackbodies and integrating spheres.
• Lead camera-level testing with environmental test teams for ESS, TVAC, radiation, and vibration campaigns.
• Collaborate with Camera Systems and Optical Test Engineers to verify the camera subsystem.

Skills

Python automation

Instrument control

Optical testing

Statistical analysis

Communication

Education

Ph.D. with detectors/imaging or infrared instruments

M.S. with 3+ years industry experience

B.S. with 5+ years industry experience

Tools

EGSE/OGSE

Python scripting

LabVIEW

Job description

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.

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

• equity compensation
• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• short & long term disability and life insurance
• three weeks paid vacation for new employees
• 12 paid holidays
• unlimited sick time
• 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.

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 (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.