Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.
Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one.
Customers and users across the globe use Planet’s data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.
As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains.
We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world.
Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.
About the Role:
Planet is looking for a Senior Payload Systems Engineer to join the team that is designing, building and operating an advanced mission that will become an extension to the largest camera constellation ever deployed in space.
The Payload Systems Engineering (PLSE) Group is the focal point for technical leadership related to the variety of imaging payloads at Planet.
PLSEs provide technical depth in the fields of imaging systems and payload subsystems and technical breadth through interfaces with Product, Science, Software, Mission Ops, and other Space Systems groups.
PLSEs are responsible for both the technical and programmatic implementation of a payload for a specific mission. They are the directly responsible individual (DRI) who is accountable for implementing payloads to meet the mission objectives (balancing requirements with constraints like budget/schedule/risk). They embody Planet’s engineering values and excel at systems, cross-functional collaboration, and exhibiting ownership.
This role will require you to be physically present at our headquarters in San Francisco, CA, 3+ days a week.
Impact You’ll Own:
- Act as the technical lead through the design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of new and advanced imaging systems
- Support and drive a multi-organizational systems engineering effort related to the production of advanced payloads and spacecraft
- Derive, own, and drive the payload requirements from inception to mission implementation, collaborating with missions and product stakeholders
- Negotiate and implement interface control documents (ICDs) within the payload systems and with the spacecraft bus
- Support the development and implementation of verification and validation plans for payload systems
- Lead payload cross-team collaboration between the hardware, satellite operations, imaging pipeline, and embedded software teams
- Support the selection of and provide technical leadership for oversight of external vendors
What You Bring:
- 10+ years of relevant work experience in imaging, space/airborne payloads, and/or systems engineering, including formal education
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a technical manner across organizational and functional boundaries to deliver capability to users
- Experience with high resolution imaging systems, detectors, or telescopes
- Experience with program lifecycle stages including design, assembly, integration and test, or flight operations of imaging systems
- Experience leveraging scientific tools based in MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++ to advance design maturity and analyze system performance
- Familiarity with source control, project, and requirement management tools
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a willingness to collaborate across teams which interface with payload systems
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Experience as the directly responsible individual on projects of significant scope and/or complexity
- Comfortable taking the lead on challenging projects with a small and agile team
- Previous experience in optical system design, testing, and analysis particularly space-based systems
- Previous experience in a complex systems engineering role within the aerospace industry
Benefits While Working at Planet:
- Comprehensive Health Plan
- Wellness program and onsite massages in specific offices
- Flexible Time Off
- Recognition Programs
- Commuter Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
- Parental Leave
- Offsites and Happy Hours
- Volunteering Benefits
EAR/ITAR Requirements:
This position requires access to export-controlled technology, and as such, and in accordance to applicable law, employment is only open to US citizens, US nationals, lawful permanent residents of the US or persons admitted to the US as an asylee or refugee.
Compensation:
The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is $162,600 - $203,200. 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.
This position requires access to export controlled technology, and as such, employment will be contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access EAR and/or ITAR controlled technology pursuant to an export license approved by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, if required.
Why we care so much about Belonging.
We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging, dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work with diversity, equity and inclusion. If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply! At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts. We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride.
EEO statement:
Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights.
Accommodations:
Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.
Privacy Policy: By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.
Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.
