Senior Instrument Scientist, Simulation

About the role

Muon's Instrument Science team, part of our broader Electro-Optical/Infrared Instruments organization, defines the science, models and calibrates the instrument, and validates its performance, translating physics into orbital capability from concept through end of life. As our Senior Instrument Scientist responsible for Simulation, you will own the simulation and modeling that connect optical, detector, and scanner physics to on-orbit capability, drive instrument performance prediction, and build the virtual instrument and digital twin representations of our on-orbit hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain end-to-end instrument performance simulations, from optical, detector, and scanner physics through predicted on-orbit capability.
• Build and maintain the virtual instrument and digital twin representations of our on-orbit hardware, keeping them aligned with as-built performance.
• Define flight software inputs for operating modes, sensor readout, and scanner control based on simulation results.
• Support on-orbit performance monitoring and anomaly investigation, feeding lessons learned back into the simulation models.
• Participate in a twenty-four-hour, seven-day on-call rotation to support on-orbit anomaly resolution. The on-call rotation is approximately one week every month and a half.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree in engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience coding and simulating performance for imaging systems, remote sensing instruments, or comparable electro-optical hardware.
• Experience building instrument performance models or simulations, radiometric, geometric, optical, or systems-level.
• Software proficiency in one or more languages, such as Python, Julia, or C++, including experience writing code that others depend on, tested, reviewed, and maintained in a shared codebase.
• Strong communication skills, comfortable translating performance predictions into requirements and trade studies across Instrument Systems, Flight Software, and Mission Systems teams.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Familiarity with flight software concepts, such as operating modes, sensor readout, or scanner and pointing control.
• Exposure to radiometric or geometric calibration methodology.
• Experience with virtual instruments or digital twin architectures.
• Experience supporting on-orbit commissioning, calibration and validation, or fleet performance monitoring and anomaly investigation.
• Ability to apply first-principles physics to validate simulation outputs.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $158,000 - $207,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About Muon Space

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

Taking Care of Our Team

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 parental leave.

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states:
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.