Senior Instrument Calibration Scientist

About the role

Muon seeks a Senior Instrument Calibration Scientist to join our team in Mountain View, CA with a focus on calibration of infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated engineer or scientist with a versatile skill set who is comfortable working across many layers of technical depth. This role will be a key member of the instrument team, establishing scalable calibration hardware infrastructure and processes to ensure delivery of science-grade radiometric and geometric calibration artifacts to the data team.

Previous experience developing and operating infrared electro-optical systems, remote sensing instruments, and test infrastructure in fast-paced and small-team environments is preferred.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our Mountain View, CA office three days per week.

• Own radiometric and geometric calibration standards across multiple instrument programs, developing best practices and ensuring adherence to defined processes.
• Lead the design and development of scalable calibration test hardware infrastructure.
• Lead the planning and execution of pre-launch radiometric and geometric calibration campaigns to establish baseline sensor performance models.
• Support definition and tracking of metrics to monitor the performance of instruments from ground to orbit.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, data scientists, mission operations engineers, and program managers.
• This position participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution. The on-call rotation is approximately one week per month.

• Ph.D. and 3+ years of experience developing imaging systems and infrared remote sensing instruments within a multi-disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 6+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 8+ years industry experience.
• Software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, Julia, C++).
• Experience working hands‑on with precision optical equipment for instrument characterization and calibration.
• Experience with root cause analysis efforts including data analysis and testing.
• Experience performing 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.

• Experience supporting business development including technical contributions to proposals.
• Experience translating mission and science requirements into technical requirements.
• Experience developing instrument concept of operations (Con Ops).
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.
• Experience supporting environmental testing (thermal stress screening, TVAC, random vibration), integrated spacecraft testing, and launch campaigns.

The salary range for this role is $184,000 - $223,000 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

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 m climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

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…