Muon Space is building a family of infrared imaging missions designed for global wildfire detection and monitoring, weather and cloud characterization, and space-based environmental monitoring. Muon's IR Data Products team builds the analytics system that processes the data from our spacecraft's custom multispectral imaging instruments into data products and analytics for diverse end-user stakeholders from these missions. We are seeking a Calibration Data Scientist to join the team to build out the on-orbit data calibration system.
In this role, the candidate will join Muon’s calibration team to develop calibration and image processing of the unique multi-spectral infrared data from several instrument variations in Muon’s IR missions. The calibration function has a mandate that spans both the FireSat Initial Operating Capability (IOC) commissioning and Muon's Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) program. This role will join our calibration science team to advance the radiometric calibration and image processing methodology and operational implementation across Muon’s IR mission. In this role the candidate will collaborate with the IR Instrument team on pre-launch calibration activities, commission and calibrate newly launched instruments, and continuously improve the methods and implementation for operational missions on-orbit.
This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our Denver, CO office three days per week.
Responsibilities- Advance radiometric calibration and image processing of the multispectral infrared imagery from Muon’s FireSat mission.
- Build out the calibration program across Muon’s infrared missions.
- Research and development to improve foundational data calibration and processing.
- Implement and operate production pipelines for calibration and data processing.
- Write production-ready code.
- Work cross-functionally within the team and across Muon to design, build, and maintain operational services from Muon’s core remote sensing missions
- Master new topics to meet program needs (measurement techniques, geospatial data engineering, software engineering, customer domain-specific implications)
- PhD with 3+ years of industry experience; or MS with 6+ years industry experience; or BS +8 years industry experience
- 4+ years of experience calibrating imaging systems
- Hands-on experience interpreting complex data from imaging instruments to improve data quality and instrument utility.
- Demonstrated experience translating research code to production. You’ve either done this yourself, or worked closely with a team to make this leap.
- Exceptional skills in python-based development and analysis
- Strong statistical and mathematical skills
- Ability to work with a distributed, interdisciplinary team (scientists, engineers, data support)
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start up environment
- Experience with mid-wave infrared instruments and mid-wave infrared data processing
- Specific experience with satellite instruments on-orbit.
- Deep knowledge of the science of remote sensing.
- Experience with geospatial data processing
- Familiarity with common geospatial data tooling and formats (e.g. XArray, COG, NetCDF)
- Domain expertise in geospatial analytics
- Familiarity with cloud-native systems (AWS, preferably)
- Experience working with large datasets
The salary range for this role is $192,000 - $213,000.00, 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.
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 TeamAt 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
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.
Skills Required
- PhD with 3+ years, MS with 6+ years, or BS with 8+ years of industry experience
- 4+ years of experience calibrating imaging instruments
- Hands-on experience with complex data from new imaging instruments
- Experience shipping and operating production data or analytics pipelines for scientific data, including monitoring, logging, alerting, and automated testing
- Experience taking scientific or numerical algorithms from prototype to hardened production code, including unit and integration testing and quantitative validation
- Exceptional Python software engineering skills, including packaging, testing frameworks, version control, code review, and CI/CD workflows
- Grounding in statistics, applied mathematics, and instrument physics sufficient to reason about calibration algorithms and radiometric error budgets
- Ability to work with distributed, interdisciplinary teams
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment
- Experience with mid-wave infrared instruments and MWIR data processing
- Experience calibrating on-orbit imaging instruments across radiometric, spectral, and geometric domains
- Knowledge of remote sensing and radiometric calibration, including SI traceability and uncertainty analysis
- Experience with detector characterization, calibration campaign design, or geospatial data processing
- Familiarity with XArray, COG, NetCDF, Plotly, Panel, Streamlit, or Grafana
- Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, Airflow, Prefect, Argo, or similar tools
- Experience with cloud-native systems and infrastructure as code, preferably AWS
- Experience working with terabyte-scale datasets and geospatial analytics
What We Do
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. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.
