---
title: 'Manager, Instrument AIT at Muon Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/manager-instrument-ait-muon-space-mountain-view-51755ec733qq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Manager, Instrument AIT at Muon Space

- **Company:** Muon Space
- **Location:** Mountain View, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-08-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/muonspace/jobs/5208776007

## Job description

## About the role

Muon seeks a Manager of Instrument Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) to build, mentor, and guide a multidisciplinary team of optical integration engineers, optical and camera test engineers, and optomechanical technicians. In this role, you will establish the technical standards, assembly flows, optical ground support equipment architectures, and test automation frameworks for our multispectral thermal IR instruments. As a technical leader and functional manager, you will define the standards for precision optical alignment, optomechanical integration, camera characterization, and environmental qualification, while ensuring seamless collaboration across Instrument Systems, Design, and Delivery. While your primary focus is leadership, technical governance, and capability building, you will retain the deep engineering background required to contribute directly to critical optical alignment operations, test campaigns, and anomaly investigations.

This position is fully onsite and requires working in our Mountain View, CA office 5x days a 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.

Nice-to-have Skills

- Basic proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) for designing GSE test fixtures, alignment adapters, or handling equipment.
- Experience working within matrixed engineering organizations and establishing clear facility operational boundaries.
- Familiarity with optical design tools (Zemax, Code V) and STOP analysis interpretation to support test anomaly root cause investigations.
- Experience supporting integrated spacecraft-level environmental testing or launch campaigns.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $184,000 - $202,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be 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.

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.

## About Muon Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Muon Space designs, builds, and operates satellite constellations optimized for Earth observation and remote sensing missions for government and commercial customers.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B)
- **Headquarters**: San Jose, California, USA (with additional offices in Mountain View, CA; Washington D.C. Metro Area; and Northern Virginia)
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Jonny Dyer (CEO/Co-founder), Dan McCleese (Chief Scientist/Co-founder), Pascal Stang (CTO/Co-founder), and Paul Day (VP Production/Co-founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Aerospace & Defense, Space Technology, Satellite Manufacturing, Earth Observation/Remote Sensing
- **Target customers**: B2G (US Air Force, US Space Force, government agencies) and B2B (commercial agriculture companies like Hydrosat, private enterprises)
- **Mission statement**: "Building constellations for a safe and resilient world" — empowering humanity to address global challenges and support a livable planet through advanced satellite technology.

## Products & Services
- **Muon Halo™**: The company’s flagship integrated technology stack for satellite constellation development. It combines the MuSim digital engineering and simulation platform, the MuOS data-centric middleware architecture, and the MuSat and MuCore software-defined building blocks. This stack enables rapid, low-cost deployment of high-performance constellations using modular "CarefulCOTS" hardware and service-oriented software.
- **Earth Intelligence**: A data and analytics offering that integrates physical sciences, aerospace engineering, software, and domain expertise to provide dynamic understanding of the planet for managing natural resources, enhancing safety/security, and supporting global challenges.
- **Custom Satellite Constellation Services**: A three-phase approach (Design, Build, Operate) to deliver end-to-end satellite constellation development, from mission architecture optimization through manufacturing, launch, and ongoing operations.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding raised — Muon Space has raised significant venture capital (Series B round closed; specific amount not cited in available sources but the company is well-capitalized for a space startup)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Partners include the USAF and USSF, Hydrosat (agriculture), and other government agencies and commercial organizations. The company is backed by leading venture investors in the space/defense sector.
- **Growth Signals**:
    - Recognized as one of **America’s Greatest Startup Workplaces 2025** (by a workplace excellence award program)
    - Named one of **Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Space for 2025** for cutting-edge weather-monitoring satellites
    - Opened a high-mix satellite manufacturing facility in San Jose, indicating scaling production capacity
    - Growing headcount: currently listing **44 open positions** across engineering, operations, go-to-market, and G&A
    - Team includes industry veterans from Skybox, NASA, SpaceX, and other leading aerospace organizations

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertically Integrated Technology Stack**: Muon Halo™ combines digital simulation, middleware OS, and software-defined hardware into a unified platform, enabling faster time-to-orbit and lower costs than traditional bespoke satellite development.
- **High-Mix Manufacturing**: A state-of-the-art production facility optimized for building diverse satellite configurations at volumes typical of standard bus lines — a rare capability in the industry.
- **Proven Government & Commercial Traction**: Contracts with the US Air Force, US Space Force, and commercial partners like Hydrosat demonstrate credibility and recurring demand.
- **Team Expertise**: Founders and leadership come from Skybox, NASA, SpaceX, and other top-tier organizations, bringing deep domain knowledge and a track record of execution.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling Constellation Operations**: Moving from design/build phases to full operational constellations, with emphasis on automated planning, tasking, and data backhaul.
- **Expanding Earth Intelligence Offerings**: Developing weather-monitoring and geospatial analytics to address climate, agriculture, and national security applications.
- **Government & Defense Growth**: Deepening partnerships with US and allied government agencies for resilient space-based capabilities.
- **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring across hardware, software, mission engineering, and business development to support rapid growth.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Work**: Employees contribute directly to global challenges like climate monitoring, natural resource management, and national security — with tangible impact from space.
- **Award-Winning Culture**: Named one of America’s Greatest Startup Workplaces 2025; culture built on trust, technical excellence, and shared accountability.
- **Top-Tier Team**: Work alongside industry veterans from Skybox, NASA, SpaceX, and other leading organizations.
- **Benefits & Perks**:
    - 100% health, dental, and vision coverage for employees (85% for dependents)
    - Concierge medical via One Medical
    - 401(k) plan through Betterment, equity management via Carta
    - Generous parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers
    - Generous time-off policy
    - Fully stocked kitchen, catered lunch 3x/week at HQ
    - Dog-friendly office
- **Work Model**: Hybrid/remote flexibility for many roles (some positions listed as "San Jose, CA or Remote"); hardware roles are primarily on-site at San Jose or Mountain View facilities.
- **Growth Opportunities**: With 44 open positions and rapid scaling, there is significant potential for career advancement and impact in a high-growth startup.

## Sources
1. [muonspace.com](https://www.muonspace.com/)
2. [muonspace.com/about](https://www.muonspace.com/about)
3. [muonspace.com/careers](https://www.muonspace.com/careers)
4. [muonspace.com/life-at-muon](https://www.muonspace.com/life-at-muon)
5. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/muonspace](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/muonspace)

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