Senior Instrument Scientist, Calibration Testing

About the role

Muon's Instrument Science team, part of our broader Electro-Optical/Infrared Instruments organization, defines the science, models and calibrates the instrument, and validates its performance, translating physics into orbital capability from concept through end of life. As our Senior Instrument Scientist responsible for Calibration Testing, you will own the hardware and software infrastructure used to calibrate the instrument on the ground, define the test procedures that execute our calibration methodology, and deliver the calibration results and reports that validate the instrument's readiness for flight.

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

Responsibilities

• Develop hardware and software infrastructure for ground calibration.
• Define ground-calibration test procedures, including campaigns run with the instrument integrated on the spacecraft or on ground testbeds.
• Deliver ground-calibration results and reports.
• Partner with the Instrument Scientist responsible for Calibration Design to ensure calibration methodology can be executed with ground test infrastructure.
• Participate in a twenty-four-hour, seven-day on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution. The on-call rotation is approximately one week every month and a half.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree in engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience building or operating ground calibration test infrastructure for imaging systems, remote sensing instruments, or comparable electro-optical hardware, including comfort operating flight software during integrated test campaigns.
• Hands-on experience with calibration equipment such as integrating spheres, blackbodies, collimators, or autocollimators, as well as spacecraft testbeds used for integrated test campaigns.
• Software proficiency in one or more languages, such as Python, Julia, or C++, including experience writing code that others depend on, tested, reviewed, and maintained in a shared codebase.
• Strong communication skills, comfortable delivering calibration results and reports across Instrument Assembly, Integration and Test, and the Infrared Data Product team.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience with visible and infrared sensors, and scanner characterization.
• Exposure to radiometric or geometric calibration methodology.
• Experience with calibration uncertainty analysis and error budgeting.
• Experience supporting calibration data validation with downstream data product teams.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments or handling sensitive electro-optical hardware.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $197,000 - $218,000, 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.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

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 401k 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.

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. 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.

Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states:
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA

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.