Muon Space is hiring an Instrument Integration Lab Manager to join our team in Mountain View, CA. You will be the hands-on technical leader responsible for the production of our infrared remote sensing instruments, bridging precision craftsmanship with operational excellence. This role owns the physical realization of our hardware, from managing our optical cleanroom facility to the daily execution of critical flight builds.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the primary owner of lab operations, managing ground support equipment (GSE) vendor interactions, maintenance, training, safety protocols, contamination control, and consumable inventory to ensure zero downtime.
- Execute complex optical alignment and optomechanical assembly tasks, including precision alignment and bonding, mechanism integration, fastener torquing, thermal hardware installation, and electrical harness routing.
- Support subsystem and instrument-level testing, including environmental (vibration, thermal-vacuum), system characterization/V&V, and radiometric calibration.
- Collaborate with Technical Program Managers and Instrument Leads to de-conflict schedules and allocate cleanroom space and GSE across multiple concurrent programs.
- Provide design feedback to engineering teams and advise on the selection of optical and mechanical metrology equipment.
- Continuously identify opportunities to streamline the integration flow, recommending upgrades to tooling or workflow to increase throughput, quality, and efficiency.
- Set the standard for workmanship and mentor junior technicians and engineers on cleanroom best practices, precision assembly techniques, and safety protocols.
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in a multi-disciplinary aerospace hardware environment with direct exposure to imaging systems, infrared remote sensing instruments, or optical payloads.
- Demonstrated expertise in precision optomechanical assembly, including the use of precision electro-optical, optical, and mechanical metrology equipment.
- Proven experience with system integration and delivery of complex optomechanical systems.
- Deep familiarity with cleanroom operations (ISO 7 / Class 10K or better), including particle count monitoring and contamination control protocols.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage inventory, equipment calibration schedules, and build plans simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills; able to translate technical floor issues into clear feedback for design engineers and program managers.
- Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week.
- The individual must be able to routinely lift and move materials, equipment, or supplies weighing between 25 and 50 pounds.
- Willingness to obtain a US security clearance strongly preferred.
Nice to Have
- Experience assembling and characterizing moving mechanism assemblies.
- Basic software/scripting skills for data analysis or equipment automation (e.g., Python, C/C++).
- Previous experience setting up a new lab or manufacturing line from scratch.
Technical Stack
- Precision electro-optical, optical, and mechanical metrology equipment
- Interferometers
- Collimators
- CMMs
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation range: $184,000 - $202,000 + competitive equity grant.
- 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.
Work Mode
This role is onsite in Mountain View, CA.
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.
