About the role

Muon seeks a Staff Optical Engineer to act as a technical lead on our team in Mountain View or San Jose, CA, developing infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated expert with a versatile skill set, comfortable diving into everything from conceptual design and error budgeting to precision optical metrology and rigorous hardware execution. In this role, you will be the definitive technical authority for a new optical subsystem, owning the performance metrics while defining and driving the hands-on assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of critical optical and optomechanical subsystems. Previous experience driving end-to-end optical development, managing stringent performance budgets, and integrating complex electro-optical systems in a fast-paced, small-team environment is required.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our Mountain View or San Jose, CA office three days per week.
Responsibilities

• Own the delivery of optical subsystems to the instrument program as the primary technical lead.
• Own and manage comprehensive optical error budgets and performance metrics, including image quality (MTF, WFE), stray light, and radiometric throughput (BOL/EOL transmission) from conceptual design through hardware build and test.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to support cross-functional technical budgets, including thermal constraints and line-of-sight pointing/jitter, ensuring adequate margins throughout development.
• Define and drive the strategy for optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, leading collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• Support subsystem and instrument level functional, performance, and environmental testing (including vibration, thermal-vacuum/TVAC, and thermal stress).
• Champion the continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency and reliability in instrument development.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. and 5+ years of experience developing imaging systems and infrared remote sensing instruments within a multi-disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 8+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 10+ years industry experience.
• Expertise in optical design and analysis (Zemax, Code V, FRED), including interpreting STOP analysis, allocating error budgets, and developing component specifications with vendors.
• Extensive hands-on experience with precision optical metrology, advanced AI&T execution, root cause analysis, and rigorous test data reporting.
• Software proficiency in one or more languages (e.g., Python, C++) for data analysis and automation.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and project management skills, with the ability to clearly communicate and collaborate across optomechanical, mechanical, and thermal teams.
• Ability to obtain security clearance strongly preferred.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Exposure to systems engineering, specifically requirements development and V&V.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.
• Experience supporting integrated spacecraft-level environmental testing and launch campaigns.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $184,000 - $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.