← All roles

Manager, Instrument AIT

Muon Space· Engineering - EO/IR Instruments
Apply on company site
Mountain View, CA$197k - $218k + equityfull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team responsible for assembly, integration, and testing of multispectral infrared instruments. Establish standards, GSE architectures, and test automation while contributing hands-on in optical alignment and anomaly investigations. Onsite in Mountain View, CA (5 days/week).

Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and coordinate a high-performing team of optical integration and test engineers, camera test engineers, and optomechanical technicians, managing hiring, day-to-day floor tasking, and skill development across programs.
  • Establish test architecture standards, test automation frameworks, and data processing pipelines for subsystem- and instrument-level optical characterization.
  • Oversee the design, procurement, integration, and validation of optical ground support equipment (GSE), including collimators, integrating spheres, test sources, and automated test benches.
  • Own the development and execution of procedures for precision optomechanical assembly, optical alignment (e.g. using interferometers, collimators, laser trackers), and critical bonding operations.
  • Translate system-level Verification and Validation (V&V) and calibration requirements into executable test procedures, and lead root cause analysis efforts for hardware or performance anomalies.
  • Drive execution of environmental qualification campaigns (including thermal vacuum/TVAC and vibration) for subsystems and instrument systems.
  • Coordinate closely with Instrument Delivery to align hardware build flows with cleanroom operations, facility scheduling, and safety protocols.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. and 3+ years of experience developing imaging systems and remote sensing instruments; or M.S. and 6+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 8+ years industry experience in optical engineering, optomechanical engineering, physics, or a related field, including technical leadership roles as a plus.
  • Hands-on experience leading or executing assembly, integration, and test (AIT) campaigns for space optical instruments, infrared remote sensing payloads, or complex electro-optical systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with precision optical metrology equipment, including interferometers, collimators, laser trackers, and optical test sources.
  • Programming proficiency in Python specifically applied to instrument test automation, hardware control, and scientific data analysis.
  • Experience planning and executing environmental qualification testing, specifically thermal vacuum (TVAC) and vibration testing in cleanroom environments.
  • Proven track record of defining structured optomechanical build flows, alignment strategies, and automated hardware test procedures.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills, with demonstrated capability in directing day-to-day tasking for floor technicians and cross-functional engineers.
  • Willingness and ability to obtain security clearance strongly preferred.

Skills

Required:Team leadership and people managementOptical assembly and alignmentOptical metrologyTest automation and data analysis (Python)Environmental qualification testingV&V and root cause analysisCross-functional collaboration
Nice to have:Security clearance readiness

Benefits

  • equity compensation
  • medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401k retirement plan
  • short & long term disability and life insurance
  • three weeks paid vacation
  • 12 paid holidays
  • unlimited sick time
  • paid parental leave
Last updated Sep 19, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Muon Space

The Mission Foundry — designing, building, and operating high-performance satellite constellations for National Security, civil, and commercial customers.

Design, build, and operate mission-optimized satellite constellations with Muon Space.

Mission FoundryMission DesignSpacecraft PlatformsPayloads & Data ProductsOrbital AIConstellation ProductionManaged Orbital Services
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at Muon Space