Simplify Logo

Full-Time

Senior RF Engineer

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Planet

Planet

1,001-5,000 employees

High-resolution satellite imagery subscription service

Social Impact
Data & Analytics
Food & Agriculture

Compensation Overview

$144.5k - $180.6kAnnually

+ Bonus + Equity

Senior

San Francisco, CA, USA

Requires onsite presence in San Francisco for three days a week.

US Citizenship Required

Category
Electrical Engineering
RF and Microwave Engineering
Hardware Engineering
Required Skills
Data Structures & Algorithms
Requirements
  • BSEE is required, MS/PhD preferred
  • 6+ years of engineering excellence designing and maturing RF & MW systems, transceivers, antennas and/or SDRs to market, ability to review low-level design decisions and understand their impact to the larger system/mission
  • Sound fundamentals in RF/MW, electromagnetics and signal processing
  • Proven track record of owning, designing and criticizing RF/MW circuit design, RF/MW layout, component selection and evaluation
  • Extensive lab experience with RF/MW and mixed-signal board bring up, characterization and test using various RF, MW, Analog and Digital test equipment
  • Proven ability to adapt and learn a multitude of skills in order to develop/contribute to the design of complex systems including, but not limited to: Active RF circuits, integrated transceivers, PLL synthesizers, mixers, switches, RF amplifiers, oscillators, detectors, filters, A/D and D/A converters, microprocessors and FPGAs for space and ground station applications
  • Excellent documentation, presentation and communication skills
Responsibilities
  • RF/MW hardware transceiver and circuit design up to 30GHz, simulation (Spice, ADS), instrumentation, test and characterization
  • RF/MW system design, link budgets, and interference analysis
  • EMI testing and mitigation
  • Antenna design, simulation and testing (ADS, HFSS)
  • Digital communications theory and associated signal processing algorithms for both narrowband and wideband data transmission systems
  • Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms and respective signal processing libraries (ex.: GNURadio)
  • Validation and Verification of radios and antennas pre-shipment and validation of radio performance on orbit after satellite launch

Planet captures high-resolution satellite images of the Earth using a fleet of small satellites called Doves. These satellites provide near-daily, detailed imagery across eight different bands, allowing clients to monitor environmental changes, manage resources, plan urban developments, and respond to disasters. The company operates on a subscription-based model, giving clients access to a vast library of images and data analytics tools. This approach ensures consistent revenue as clients require ongoing updates. Planet differentiates itself by offering customized solutions and educational resources through Planet School, helping users effectively utilize their platform. The goal of Planet is to be a leader in the geospatial intelligence market, providing valuable insights through frequent and detailed Earth observation.

Company Stage

IPO

Total Funding

$777.7M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2010

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

22%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The launch of the Planet Insights Platform enhances the utility of their data, offering powerful tools for unlocking Earth observation insights.
  • Securing major contracts, such as with the U.S. Navy, underscores Planet's credibility and potential for sustained revenue growth.
  • The addition of high-profile board members like former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki could bring valuable expertise and visibility to the company.

What critics are saying

  • Recent layoffs, including a 17% workforce reduction, may indicate financial instability or strategic misalignment.
  • High turnover in key leadership positions, such as the departure of President Kevin Weil, could lead to operational disruptions.

What makes Planet unique

  • Planet's fleet of small satellites, known as Doves, provides near-daily, high-resolution imagery, setting it apart from competitors with less frequent updates.
  • Their subscription-based model ensures a steady revenue stream, allowing for continuous innovation and customer support.
  • Planet's diverse client base, ranging from government agencies to commercial enterprises, showcases its versatility and broad market appeal.