Manager, Instrument AIT

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.