Senior Software Engineer, Cloud Image/ML Compute Architecture

About the role Muon Space is expanding its High Performance Compute (HPC) team to accelerate mission-critical data products and unlock a growing pipeline of scientific imaging and ML workloads across ground and flight systems. This role works directly with the team that produces our image data products. As the architect for our cloud image processing and ML infrastructure, you'll design, build, and deploy the serving platform that runs Muon's image algorithms and ML models in production. Architecture and performance optimization are the core of the job: you'll set the patterns the rest of the team uses to take research models to a low-latency production service, and you'll own the interfaces by which our data pipelines invoke that serving layer. This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week. Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, align and deploy the cloud image processing and ML serving stack for Muon's ground data products, including runtime integration, request batching, and serving multiple customer data feeds.
• Design distributed, low-latency image processing systems that scale in the cloud.
• Define the patterns and interfaces by which data pipelines call into performant native/accelerated code.
• Set up a production-grade image processing and ML serving path for the Image Data Product pipeline, and extend the architecture to support upcoming imaging and onboard-compute missions and future onboard accelerator opportunities.
• Deliver high-performance reference algorithm implementations and benchmark them.
• Mentor other engineers on modern C++, image and ML runtimes, and distributed-systems design.
• Own verification and validation, including unit, integration, and performance regression tests.
• Produce clear designs, trade studies, and interface documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Math, or a related technical field.
• 6+ years of professional software engineering experience, including technical leadership on distributed computation or data-intensive systems.
• Expert-level C++, with deep familiarity with memory management, concurrency, and performance-oriented programming in production systems.
• Strong PyTorch experience and production experience running models in C++ runtimes in the cloud using LibTorch or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience architecting distributed systems for low-latency image and ML, data analysis, or computer vision.
• Strong Python skills, including interaction with native optimized implementations.
• Strong written and verbal communication and ability to lead and conclude cross-functional technical discussions.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance is a plus.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with accelerators beyond GPUs (e.g., TPUs) and reasoning about accelerator tradeoffs.
• Model optimization for inference (quantization, graph compilation, kernel fusion).
• Production ownership for latency-critical production systems.
• GPU acceleration (CUDA, HIP, or similar).
• CI/CD for containerized workloads, including performance regression testing.
• Direct exposure to space, aerospace, or other mission-critical software environments.

Salary The salary range for this role is $232,000 - $261,000, 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, 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.