Lead Optical Instrument Design Manager

Muon Space; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 184,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Job summary

Muon Space is seeking a Manager of Instrument Design in Mountain View, CA, to lead a multidisciplinary team of optical and optomechanical engineers. You will set architectural standards, governance, and error budgets for multispectral thermal IR instruments, while contributing as an optical subsystem lead.

The role is hybrid and on-site in Mountain View, CA, three days per week, with emphasis on leadership, technical governance, and cross-functional collaboration across mechanical, structural,

Qualifications

• PhD with 3+ years imaging or remote sensing hardware experience, or MS with 6+ years, or BS with 8+ years in optical fields.
• Experience with space-based or airborne multispectral thermal IR payloads or cryogenic imaging systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale a high-performing optical and optomechanical engineering team.
• Establish and oversee technical frameworks for optical subsystem development and error budgeting.
• Provide architectural oversight for precision optomechanical layouts and alignment strategies.
• Define standards for stray light analysis and optical coatings.
• Maintain vendor management for optical components.
• Coordinate with cross-functional engineering teams in EO/IR instrument programs.
• Lead optical aspects of internal R&D initiatives and early-stage missions.

Skills

Optical engineering

Optomechanical engineering

Technical leadership

Python modeling

Vacuum/ Cryogenic knowledge

Education

PhD in optical/related field

MS in optical/related field

BS with extensive experience

Tools

Zemax

Code V

FRED

LightTools

SolidWorks

Job description

Muon Space is seeking a Manager of Instrument Design in Mountain View, CA, to lead a multidisciplinary team of optical and optomechanical engineers. You will set architectural standards, governance, and error budgets for multispectral thermal IR instruments, while contributing as an optical subsystem lead.

The role is hybrid and on-site in Mountain View, CA, three days per week, with emphasis on leadership, technical governance, and cross-functional collaboration across mechanical, structural,