Senior Instrument Systems Engineer

Muon Space

Senior Instrument Systems Engineer focused on infrared remote sensing instruments for national security missions. Drive development from concept through on-orbit operations in a hybrid role.

Posted 7/14/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $184,000 - $223,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in instrument architecture, requirements decomposition, and verification and validation planning, with a strong focus on data analysis and technical budget management. Proficient in collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance systems engineering methodologies and support optical instrument assembly and testing.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Instrument Architecture LeadershipTechnical Budget ManagementData Analysis and TestingCross-Functional CollaborationRoot Cause Analysis

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Requirements DecompositionVerification and Validation PlanningData AnalysisTechnical Budget DevelopmentInterface Control Document DevelopmentOptical Instrument AssemblySoftware Skills in PythonSoftware Skills in JuliaPost-ProcessingTest Report Generation

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationPresentation SkillsOrganizational Skills

Tools & Technologies

Systems Engineering MethodologiesContinuous Improvement Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

TS/SCI Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

Imaging SystemsInfrared Remote Sensing InstrumentsSpacecraftMulti-Disciplinary EnvironmentOn-Orbit Anomaly Resolution

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AssemblyPythonRemote SensingTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead instrument architecture trades, define concept of operations, own radiometric model and throughput budget, drive requirements decomposition/flowdown and verification and validation (V&V) planning
Develop and manage technical budgets, including mass, power, thermal, line-of-sight pointing/jitter, and data volume, to ensure adequate margins throughout development
Develop comprehensive interface control documents (ICDs) across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software interfaces, to drive a modular instrument architecture
Support optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, including collaboration with cross-functional teams
Champion the continuous improvement of systems engineering methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency in instrument development
Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, external partner teams, and other stakeholders
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.

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S, M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering field, or equivalent experience
5+ years of experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, with exposure to imaging systems, infrared remote sensing instruments, and spacecraft
Software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, Julia)
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
Ability to obtain TS/SCI security clearance required, active clearance strongly preferred.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401k retirement plan
Short & long term disability and life insurance
Three weeks paid vacation
12 paid holidays
Unlimited sick time
Paid parental leave