Senior Optical Test Engineer
Muon Space· Engineering - EO/IR Instruments
Mountain View, CA$179k - $230kFull-timePosted 2w ago
About the role
Senior Optical Test Engineer role at Muon Space in Mountain View, CA, focusing on hands-on testing, characterization, and environmental qualification of optical, optomechanical, and moving mechanism subsystems for infrared remote sensing instruments. Onsite five days a week.
Responsibilities
- Drive optical, optomechanical, and moving mechanism component and subsystem test efforts including definition of test strategy and standards, creation of test procedures, test execution, post-processing/data analysis, and generation of test reports.
- Conduct functional, performance, and environmental testing (including vibration, thermal-vacuum/TVAC, and thermal stress) at both the subsystem and instrument levels.
- Develop and operate ground support equipment (GSE) and testbeds to facilitate instrument-level characterization, calibration, spacecraft integration, and full-system check-outs.
- Champion the continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency and reliability in instrument development.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, and other stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. and 3+ years of experience working with imaging systems or remote sensing instruments within a multi-disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 6+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 8+ years industry experience.
- Basic software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, C++).
- Experience working with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment.
- Experience with root cause analysis efforts and performing rigorous 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.
Skills
Required:Test planning and executionEnvironmental testingGround support equipment (GSE) developmentData analysis / post-processingCommunication / collaboration
Benefits
- equity compensation
- medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401k retirement plan
- short & long term disability and life insurance
- three weeks paid vacation for new employees
- 12 paid holidays
- unlimited sick time
- paid parental leave
Last updated Oct 10, 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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