Senior Optical Engineer
Muon Space · Mountain View, CA
Posted about 3 months ago · $166,000 - $223,000
or apply directly on Muon Space's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 82 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
Muon is looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to develop infrared remote sensing instruments, focusing on stray light control and analysis. The role involves defining requirements for optical components, optimizing optical transmission through custom coatings, and managing vendor relationships. Candidates will engage in both analytical modeling and hands-on R&D to validate optical filters and coatings, requiring expertise in stray light analysis and thin-film design.
- 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
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering or physics field, or equivalent experience
- 5+ years of experience developing optical systems focused on stray light analysis, optical coatings, and component procurement
- Expertise in non-sequential ray tracing and stray light analysis software (e.g., FRED, LightTools)
- Experience with thin-film coating design and analysis software (e.g., TFCalc, Essential Macleod, OptiLayer)
- Proven track record of defining rigorous technical specifications for optical components and managing external vendors
- Hands-on experience with metrology equipment for characterizing optical coatings, filters, and scatter
Nice to have
- Experience working in cleanroom environments and handling sensitive optical components
- Deep understanding of infrared materials and cryogenic temperature impacts on optical coatings
- Exposure to systems engineering, specifically requirements development and radiometric error budgeting
What you get
- Salary range of $171,000 - $244,000
- Competitive equity grant
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401k retirement plan
- Short & long term disability and life insurance
- Three weeks paid vacation for new employees
Worth weighing
- The role requires expertise in a specific subset of optical engineering, which may limit broader experience
- Candidates must be able to obtain a security clearance, which could be a barrier for some
- Salary range is provided, but final compensation is based on various factors assessed during the interview process
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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