Senior Optical Test Engineer

Muon Space•Mountain View, CA

17h•$179,000 - $230,000•Onsite

About The Position

Muon seeks a Senior Optical Test 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, comfortable diving into everything from precision optical metrology to rigorous environmental testing. In this role, you will drive the hands-on testing, characterization, and environmental qualification of critical optical, optomechanical, and moving mechanism subsystems. Previous experience designing test campaigns, developing ground support equipment, and integrating complex electro-optical systems in a fast-paced, small-team environment is preferred. This position is fully onsite and requires working in our Mountain View office five days a week.

Requirements

Ph.D. and 3+ years of experience working with imaging systems or remote sensing instruments within a multi-disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 6+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 8+ years industry experience.
Basic software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, C++).
Experience working with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment.
Experience with root cause analysis efforts and performing rigorous data analysis, post-processing, and test report generation.
Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills.
Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) for test fixture design.
Experience assembling and characterizing moving mechanism assemblies.
Exposure to design and analysis of optical components and systems.
Experience working in cleanroom environments.

Responsibilities

Drive optical, optomechanical, and moving mechanism component and subsystem test efforts including definition of test strategy and standards, creation of test procedures, test execution, post-processing/data analysis, and generation of test reports.
Conduct functional, performance, and environmental testing (including vibration, thermal-vacuum/TVAC, and thermal stress) at both the subsystem and instrument levels.
Develop and operate ground support equipment (GSE) and testbeds to facilitate instrument-level characterization, calibration, spacecraft integration, and full-system check-outs.
Champion the continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency and reliability in instrument development.
Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, and other stakeholders.