Structural Analyst

About the Role:

The Mechanical Engineering team at Planet is seeking a Structural Analyst to help drive the design of key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s fleet of Earth-imaging satellites! Your mission will be to champion our spacecraft analysis efforts, from the subsystem level, all the way up to the top-level spacecraft. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned structural analyst who has led subsystem derisk and validation efforts on development teams across multiple programs from conceptual design through manufacturing and testing and into flight. As a member of the Mechanical Engineering team within Planet’s Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet’s agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work closely with Planet Mechanical Engineering Team, Qualification Team, Electro-Optical Team, and Manufacturing as well as the rest of Planet’s leading-edge spacecraft design teams. 

This role requires you to be in our San Francisco office 5 days a week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Own the structural analysis effort on key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s satellite fleet
• Drive documentation and presentation of new designs, trade studies, and breakout models throughout design phases and reviews
• Collaborate with design team to drive / perform analyses on key spacecraft subsystems to meet stiffness, strength, and performance requirements
• Manage vendors to ensure components meet stringent survival and performance requirements
• Support ICD development and size and develop interfaces for your subsystems
• Drive test planning and qualification campaigns
• Support debugging and root-causing test and on-orbit anomalies
• Be hands on with flight and test hardware
• Break hardware as part of our hardware in the loop design paradigm
• Validation of Models thru testing and model correlation

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
• 4+ years of relevant work experience
• 2+ years of analyzing spacecraft, aircraft, and/or precision optical components
• Experience with structural analysis methods including classical hand calculations and experience with mechanical joints
• Experience using Finite Element Software/Solvers (NASTRAN preferred) to analyze components for survival
• Proficiency generating high quality FEMs with appropriate detail to answer question with the accuracy required
• Experience using computer-aided design (CAD) software
• Experience setting up models and analyzing components for Static Environments and Stiffness
• Excellent understanding in strength of materials and failure modes
• Ability to be self-motivated and responsible while working in a dynamic environment
• Outstanding verbal and visual communication skills

What Makes You Stand Out: 

• Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
• 4+ years experience owning analysis of products from requirements generation, thru conceptual design, and into test and manufacturing
• Proficiency with Femap, NASTRAN, and/or Hypermesh
• Experience Performing Dynamic Environments Analysis (e.g. random/sine vibe, shock)
• Experience generating test specifications for dynamics environments (random/sine vibe)
• Experience presenting analysis results in design reviews
• Excellent understanding of NASA 5020 fastener analysis
• Bonded Joint Analysis and model validation
• Coupon design and testing experience
• Hands-on experience with dynamic hardware builds, vibration and shock testing
• Experience with design, analysis, and fabrication of composites and metallic components
• Machine shop experience fabricating or modifying parts (CNC Mill/Router, Mill, Lathe, Laser Cutter, 3D printer)
• Experience analyzing and testing jitter impacts on optical systems
• Structural Thermo-Optical Performance (STOP) Analysis Experience
• Demonstrated process improvement and task automation experience 
• Proficiency in Python, Matlab, and/or Visual Basic (VBA)

EAR/ITAR Requirements:

This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.

Benefits While Working at Planet:

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
• Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off 
• 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Remote-friendly work environment 
• Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Home Office Reimbursement
• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Equity
• Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

Compensation:

The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is listed below.  Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short-term and long-term incentives (bonus and equity). The final salary range is determined by job related experience, skills and location.  The range displays our typical hiring range for new hire salaries in US locations only.  Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.