Microwave Systems Lead

Muon Space; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 202,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Muon Space seeks a Microwave Systems Lead to spin up and lead a microwave instruments and data products team, owning all aspects of microwave remote sensing capabilities from instrument design to data products. You will be the primary technical contact with customers and external partners, driving knowledge and capability building.

The role includes leading a lightweight team, building world-class hardware, and shaping Muon’s microwave systems strategy across missions, with a hybrid on-site

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in relevant field (required).
• Extensive background in design and hardware engineering of microwave instruments.
• Deep understanding of DSP implementation for microwave instruments.
• Familiarity with data products from microwave remote sensing.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and coordination skills.
• Excited to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership experience in microwave systems and customer engagement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team: form and lead a lightweight team of complementary experts.
• Build world class hardware: build and fly cutting edge microwave instruments.
• Produce high quality data: ensure the development of quality data products.
• Collaboration and learning: work with our partners to enhance Muon’s internal skills.
• Guiding the trajectory: work with BD/Product to direct our microwave systems strategy.

Skills

Microwave design

DSP implementation

Customer-facing leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Education

PhD or Master’s degree in relevant field

Tools

Python

AWS

Job description

About the role

Muon seeks a Microwave Systems Lead to spin up and lead a microwave instruments and data products team at Muon. This is a cornerstone position where you will be responsible for all elements of Muon’s microwave remote sensing capabilities; from instrument design and hardware engineering through digital signal processing and data product production. You will be the primary technical point of contact with customers, external partners, and internal engineering resources, drive internal knowledge and capability building, and act as the Mission Scientist for all missions carrying microwave remote sensing instruments.

PREFERRED: This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

This position can be performed remotely from an approved location.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team: form and lead a lightweight team of complementary experts
• Build world class hardware: build and fly cutting edge microwave instruments
• Produce high quality data: ensure the development of quality data products
• Collaboration and learning: work with our partners to enhance Muon’s internal skills
• Guiding the trajectory: work with BD/Product to direct our microwave systems strategy

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in relevant field plus 5+ years of professional experience
• Extensive background in design and hardware engineering of microwave instruments
• Deep understanding of DSP implementation for microwave instruments
• Familiarity with the generation of data products from microwave remote sensing
• Excellent communication, presentation, and coordination skills
• Excited to work in a fast‑paced environment
• Microwave systems preferred would include leadership, programmatics, and customer experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading a small team of engineers
• Track record of interfacing and delivering to customers
• Expertise in common programming environments (Python) and cloud services (AWS)

Salary

The salary range for this role is $202,000 - $223,000, 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.