Senior Data Scientist

About the role

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 Remote Sensing Data Scientist to join this team with a focus on Orthomosaic Tile products spanning two of Muon's core missions. 

In the near term, this role will be a key contributor to the development of Orthomosaic Tile products for the FireSat Initial Operating Capability (IOC) constellation — diving deep into real-world data from a brand new system and writing production-ready code that feeds directly into customer-facing services. In parallel, this role will ramp up on Muon's Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) program, leading early product design for the SBEM granule product, authoring technical and customer-facing design documentation, and owning the IR Data team's engagement with SBEM stakeholders. Looking ahead to 2027 and the SBEM launch, this role will serve as the full product owner for the SBEM granule product. This is a high-impact, multi-mission role that sits at the intersection of rigorous Earth observation science and fast-moving product development, and is well-suited for someone who thrives on both deep technical work and cross-functional collaboration.

This position can be performed remotely from an approved location.

Responsibilities

• Develop imaging products for end-users from Muon's infrared imaging missions, spanning both the FireSat Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and the Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) program
• Research, design, and implement scalable algorithms for image mosaicking, orthorectification, and radiometric normalization of multispectral infrared imagery.
• Product owner for critical customer-facing imagery products in the SBEM and FireSat programs.
• Author and maintain technical and customer-facing design documents for imagery products, ensuring alignment between internal capabilities and external stakeholder requirements.
• Engage with customer technical stakeholders including Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), customer questions, and program meetings
• Write production-ready code that integrates into customer-facing data product pipelines and operational services.
• Ensure the scientific quality, quantitative validation, and integrity of Orthomosaic Tile products across both wildfire and SBEM missions.
• Work cross-functionally with software engineers, calibration scientists, and instrument engineers to design, build, and maintain operational data product services.
• Learn new topics as needed (e.g., sensor geometry and characterization, georeferencing techniques, wildfire and environmental monitoring applications, cloud-native geospatial data engineering).

Qualifications

• PhD with 3+ years of industry experience; or MS with 6+ years industry experience; or BS +8 years industry experience
• 5+ years of experience building geospatial data products from remote sensing data
• Hands-on experience with image mosaicking, orthorectification, or related geospatial image processing techniques
• Experience working with real-world data from new or novel imaging instruments
• Familiarity with common geospatial data formats and tools (e.g., Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF, XArray, GDAL)
• Exceptional skills in Python-based development and analysis
• Ability to author and clearly communicate technical design documents and product specifications
• Ability to work with a distributed, interdisciplinary team (scientists, engineers, data support)
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience processing multispectral or infrared satellite imagery
• Domain expertise in meteorology, weather, environmental remote sensing, or related Earth observation applications
• Domain expertise in wildfire monitoring
• Experience supporting satellite mission product development, commissioning, or early operations
• Track record of delivering operational geospatial data products to external customers
• Experience as a product owner or technical lead for a data product
• Familiarity with cloud-native geospatial systems and pipelines (AWS preferred)
• Experience working with large datasets

Salary

The salary range for this role is $138,000 - $198,000, 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.

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.