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Senior Instrument Systems Engineer

Muon Space· Engineering - EO/IR Instruments
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Hybrid (Mountain View, CA)$166k - $223kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Senior Instrument Systems Engineer focused on infrared remote sensing instruments, working from concept through on-orbit operations, including development, AI&T, and on-orbit support in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

  • Lead instrument architecture trades, define concept of operations, own radiometric model and throughput budget, drive requirements decomposition/flowdown and 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.
  • Participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution (approximately one week per month).

Qualifications

  • B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience 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.

Skills

Required:Radiometric modelingSystem architecture and requirements flowdownInterface control documents (ICD)Data analysis and post-processingRoot cause analysisCommunication and teamwork

Benefits

  • Equity grant
  • 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.

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