Muon Space
Senior Director, EO/IR Instrument Engineering
$256K–$293K
Mountain View, CA +1 · Director · Full-time · Posted Oct 19, 2026
- Location
- Mountain View, CA
Mountain View, California, United States - Experience
- 20+ years developing EO/IR imaging instruments; at least 10 years leading engineering organizations; technical leadership of at least two space-flight EO/IR instruments through launch and on-orbit checkout.
- Education
- BS in physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
- Visa sponsorship
- Must meet export-control access requirements as a U.S. person, be eligible to access the information without export authorization, or be eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization. The company may decline to pursue export licensing for legitimate business reasons.
About the job
Leads Muon Space’s EO/IR instrument strategy, engineering organization, and delivery across flight programs, from system architecture through on-orbit calibration.
What you'll do
- Set EO/IR strategy and multi-year investment plans, including technology, infrastructure, and budget.
- Own instrument performance, cost, schedule, technical reviews, and delivery across programs.
- Build and develop the engineering organization and partner across mission systems, production, supply chain, customers, and executives.
What they ask for
- At least 20 years developing EO/IR imaging instruments, including at least 10 years leading engineering organizations.
- Technical leadership of at least two space-flight EO/IR instruments from concept through launch and on-orbit checkout.
- Led an organization of 40+ people through multiple management layers, with budget accountability.
- BS in physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field; working command of the full instrument chain; ability to work onsite in Bay Area; must meet stated export-control eligibility requirements.
Nice to have
- MS or PhD in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering; MWIR/LWIR, cooled focal-plane, or cryocooler experience.
- Experience delivering multiple units of one design, small-satellite or commercial space, relevant mission backgrounds, active clearance or eligibility, or prior VP/director-of-directors experience.
Pay
USD $256,000 - $293,000 base salary
Tools
EO/IR, SNR, NEdT, MTF, HgCdTe, InSb, T2SL
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative