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Salary: USD 166,000 - 223,000 / annual
Muon Space, a LEO satellite constellation provider founded in 2021, seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to lead stray light control and optical component specification for infrared remote sensing instruments. This hybrid role (3 days/week on-site in Mountain View) combines rigorous analytical modeling with hands-on R&D to advance multispectral IR payload capabilities.
Key responsibilities include performing comprehensive stray light analysis using FRED to quantify and mitigate out-of-field stray light, scatter, ghosting, and thermal self-emission in complex infrared optical assemblies. You will specify and analyze custom optical coatings and surface treatments to maximize transmission/reflectance while managing environmental durability. The role requires serving as primary technical liaison with specialized optical component vendors, driving R&D initiatives in novel coating technologies and filter survivability in harsh environments (TVAC, radiation), and defining rigorous test plans using metrology setups (spectrophotometry, scatterometry, BRDF measurements) to verify vendor deliverables.
You will partner closely with optical and mechanical designers to iterate and optimize baffle designs, surface finishes, and optomechanical layouts based on stray light analysis. The ideal candidate brings 5+ years developing optical systems with deep expertise in non-sequential ray tracing (FRED, LightTools), thin-film coating design (TFCalc, Essential Macleod, OptiLayer), and hands-on metrology experience. Strong vendor management skills, proficiency in Python or MATLAB, and ability to obtain security clearance are essential. Nice-to-have skills include cleanroom experience, deep understanding of infrared materials and cryogenic effects, and systems engineering background.
