Senior Instrument Systems Engineer

ArcTern Ventures; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Muon Space is seeking a Senior Instrument Systems Engineer to lead architecture trades and system-level integration for infrared remote sensing instruments in Mountain View, CA or remote.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, ICD development, and on-orbit operation support, with a strong emphasis on data analysis and test reporting. A TS/SCI clearance is preferred and a fast-paced environment is expected.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in a multi-disciplinary environment with imaging/IR remote sensing and spacecraft.
• Experience with data analysis, post-processing, and test report generation.
• Software skills in Python and/or Julia.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance; active clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead instrument architecture trades and define concept of operations.
• Manage technical budgets: mass, power, thermal, pointing/jitter, data volumes.
• Develop ICDs across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software interfaces.
• Support AI&T planning and execution across cross-functional teams.
• Champion continuous improvement of systems engineering methodologies and tools.
• Collaborate with subsystem engineers, instrument/spacecraft systems engineers, and program managers.
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution.

Skills

Python

Julia

Data analysis

Education

Engineering degree (B.S./M.S./Ph.D.)

Job description

About the role

Muon seeks a Senior Instrument Systems Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA or Remote, with a focus on infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer with a versatile skill set who is comfortable working across many layers of technical depth from individual components through system level. This role will be a key member of the instrument engineering team, driving development from concept through on-orbit operations for our national security missions. Previous experience developing and operating infrared electro-optical systems, remote sensing instruments, and test infrastructure in fast-paced and small-team environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead instrument architecture trades, define concept of operations, own radiometric model and throughput budget, drive requirements decomposition/flowdown and verification and validation (V&V) planning.
• Develop and manage technical budgets, including mass, power, thermal, line-of-sight pointing/jitter, and data volume, to ensure adequate margins throughout development.
• Develop comprehensive interface control documents (ICDs) across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software interfaces, to drive a modular instrument architecture.
• Support optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, including collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Champion the continuous improvement of systems engineering methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency in instrument development.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, external partner teams, and other stakeholders.
• This position participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution. The on-call rotation is approximately one week per month.

Qualifications

• B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, with exposure to imaging systems, infrared remote sensing instruments, and spacecraft.
• Software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, Julia).
• Experience with root cause analysis efforts including data analysis and testing.
• Experience performing data analysis, post-processing, and test report generation.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
• Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week.
• Ability to obtain TS/SCI security clearance required, active clearance strongly preferred.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience integrating and interpreting STOP analysis results to drive instrument design trades and error budget allocations.
• Experience working hands-on with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment.
• Experience supporting environmental testing (thermal stress screening, TVAC, random vibration), integrated spacecraft testing, and launch campaigns.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $166,000 to $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. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! 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.