Manager, Instrument Design
Muon Space · Mountain View, CA
Posted about 2 months ago · $184,000 - $202,000
or apply directly on Muon Space's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 74 days Muon Space's roles stay open a median of 78 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- Yes 88% of Muon Space's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at Muon Space
- high 113 stale, 2 reposted of 115 open
- Hiring momentum
- 131 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-10-24
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Muon Space's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Muon Space.
About this role
The Manager of Instrument Design at Muon will lead a team of optical and optomechanical engineers in developing multispectral thermal IR instruments. This role involves establishing technical frameworks, overseeing design methodologies, and ensuring cross-functional alignment with other engineering disciplines. The manager will also engage in hands-on technical leadership and vendor management while focusing on team development and strategic workforce allocation.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 1/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 5/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Muon Space as an employer.
What you need
- 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
- Direct experience developing space-based or airborne remote sensing hardware, specifically multispectral thermal IR payloads or cryogenically cooled imaging systems
- Expertise in sequential and non-sequential optical design and analysis software (e.g., Zemax, Code V, FRED, LightTools)
- Strong familiarity with optomechanical design principles, optomechanical CAD review (SolidWorks), and STOP analysis workflows
- Proven track record of defining technical specifications and actively managing external vendors for optical components
- Hands-on experience with precision optical metrology equipment, cleanroom optical alignment, and environmental qualification testing
Nice to have
- Experience working within matrixed engineering organizations and establishing clear functional boundaries
- Exposure to systems engineering, specifically requirements decomposition and V&V
What you get
- Salary range of $197,000 - $218,000
- Competitive equity grant
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401k retirement plan
- Short & long term disability and life insurance
- Three weeks paid vacation for new employees
Worth weighing
- Hybrid work model requiring on-site presence three days per week
- No mention of specific tools or technologies beyond those listed
- Salary range provided, but final compensation based on interview assessment
Summarised from Muon Space's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by Muon Space on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-10-24. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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