Optical AIT Manager — Lead Space Instrument Systems

Muonspace; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401k retirement plan

3 weeks paid vacation

12 paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Muon Space seeks a Manager of Instrument AIT to lead a multidisciplinary team of optical engineers and technicians in Mountain View, CA. You will establish standards for optical alignment, GSE, and automation while contributing hands-on in critical alignment operations and test campaigns.

This onsite role demands strong leadership, governance, and collaboration across Instrument Systems, Design, and Delivery, with security clearance as a preferred asset.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS/BS with substantial, relevant experience and leadership roles.
• Hands-on experience leading or executing AIT campaigns for optical instruments.
• Experience with precision metrology equipment (interferometers, collimators, laser trackers).
• Python programming for instrument test automation and data analysis.
• Environmental qualification testing (TVAC and vibration) in cleanrooms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of optical integration and test engineers and technicians.
• Establish test architecture standards, automation frameworks, and data pipelines for optical characterization.
• Oversee design, procurement, integration, and validation of optical GSE and test benches.
• Develop procedures for precision optomechanical assembly and optical alignment.
• Translate V&V and calibration requirements into executable test procedures; lead root-cause analysis.

Skills

Optical engineering

AIT leadership

Python for automation

System integration

Environmental testing

Camera characterization

GSE design

Thermal vacuum testing

Education

PhD in Optical Engineering

MS in related field

BS in related field

Tools

Zemax

Code V

SolidWorks

Interferometers

Laser trackers

Job description

Muon Space seeks a Manager of Instrument AIT to lead a multidisciplinary team of optical engineers and technicians in Mountain View, CA. You will establish standards for optical alignment, GSE, and automation while contributing hands-on in critical alignment operations and test campaigns.

This onsite role demands strong leadership, governance, and collaboration across Instrument Systems, Design, and Delivery, with security clearance as a preferred asset.