Instrument Systems Engineer
About the role
Muon seeks an Instrument Systems Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA developing infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer with a versatile skill set who is comfortable working across many layers of technical depth from individual components through system level. In this role you will span the full lifecycle of instrument development–from initial concept, through design and prototyping, to AIT and on-orbit validation/operations. You will be responsible for interacting with cross functional team members, vendors, and partners to develop requirements and ICDs, manage risk, and work across disciplines to drive instrument development, from concept to delivery. Previous experience developing optical and infrared instruments and associated test infrastructure for space remote sensing in fast-paced and small-team environments is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop optical system, subsystem, and component performance models and integrate with internal modeling and simulation tools.
- Support requirements development, error budgets/traceability/flowdown, V&V planning and implementation, including on-orbit performance assessment.
- Support design and analysis of optical components and systems, including contributions to stray light and STOP analysis.
- Support procurement and vendor technical management of instrument optical and optomechanical subsystems and components, including tracking and acceptance of contractual deliverables, e.g. end-item data packages.
- Support optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, including collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Support implementation and operation of ground support equipment and testbeds for spacecraft integration, functional checks, and full system testing.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of best practices, processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in instrument development.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, external partner teams, and other stakeholders.
Qualifications
- B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, with exposure to spacecraft, infrared remote sensing instruments, and imaging systems.
- Demonstrated project management skills and ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines, including optical, mechanical, and thermal teams.
- Experience working hands on with precision electro-optical equipment.
- Experience with system integration and delivery of complex HW/SW systems.
- Experience with root cause analysis efforts including data analysis and testing.
- Software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, C, C++).
- Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
- Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week.
- Willingness to obtain Secret or TS/SCI clearance strongly preferred.
Nice-to-have Skills
- Experience with risk management, including risk tracking and development and implementation of mitigation plans.
- Experience driving right-sized trade studies and identifying system solutions.
- Experience radiometric analysis, modeling, and calibration.
- Experience working in cleanroom environments.
Salary
The salary range for this role is $179K - $208K and will depend on a candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience as defined during the interview process.