Senior Optomechanical Engineer

ArcTern Ventures; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Three weeks paid vacation

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Muon Space is looking for an Instrument Development Engineer in Mountain View, CA. The role involves designing optomechanical systems for infrared remote sensing instruments, from concept to testing. Ideal candidates have over 5 years of experience in optomechanical design, proficiency in CAD tools like SolidWorks, and strong communication skills. The position offers a salary range of $159,000 - $223,000 plus equity and benefits including medical and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing optomechanical hardware.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.

Responsibilities

• Own optomechanical design efforts including concept development.
• Support optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T).
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of best practices.

Skills

Optomechanical hardware design

CAD proficiency (SolidWorks preferred)

System integration

Communication skills

Education

B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field

Tools

STOP analysis tools (FEA, Sigfit, Zemax)

Precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment

Job description

About the role

Muon Space seeks an Instrument Development Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA, supporting the production of 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. In this role you will span the full lifecycle of instrument development–from design and analysis, to assembly, integration, and test. You will be responsible for interacting with cross‑functional team members, vendors, and partners to drive optomechanical subsystem development. Previous experience developing optical and infrared instruments and associated test infrastructure for space remote sensing in fast‑paced and small‑team environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own optomechanical design efforts including concept development, trade studies, and preliminary sizing of hardware at various levels of assembly (component to system).
• Own subsystem and system‑level analyses including STOP analysis, tolerance stackups, and alignment planning.
• Support Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA) efforts to drive continuous improvement and volume production.
• Support optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, including collaboration with cross‑functional teams.
• Support subsystem and instrument‑level testing, including environmental (vibration, thermal‑vacuum (TVAC) testing) and system characterization/V&V.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of best practices, processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness 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.

Qualifications

• B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing optomechanical hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) for component and assembly design.
• Experience with STOP analysis tools (FEA, Sigfit, Zemax) and workflows.
• Experience working in a multi‑disciplinary environment, with exposure to spacecraft, infrared remote sensing instruments, and imaging systems.
• Experience working with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment.
• Experience with system integration and delivery of complex hardware/software systems.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
• Excited to work in a fast‑paced environment with new challenges each week.

Nice‑to‑have Skills

• Experience driving right‑sized trade studies and identifying system solutions.
• Experience with requirements development, error budgets/traceability/flowdown, and V&V planning and implementation.
• Experience with root cause analysis efforts including data analysis and testing.
• Basic software/scripting skills for data analysis or equipment automation (e.g., Python, C/C++).
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $159,000 - $223,000 plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process

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 401(k) 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.

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.