Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer

The posting, as Planet wrote it

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

We are currently seeking a Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer to support Planet’s development and deployment of our next generation satellite platforms. As a spacecraft technical lead, you will guide an agile manufacturing and test team through verification and validation (V&V), as well as integration, assembly and testing (AI&T) phases for new satellite systems. You will work directly with our Manufacturing, Test, and Qualification teams as well as cross-functional engineering design teams to ensure all requirements and any non-conformances are dispositioned.

This position requires a solid technical baseline and a systems-level mindset. You will need the technical credibility to navigate design discussions, facilitate risk-based trade-offs, and represent manufacturing and testability requirements early in the product lifecycle. Your primary objective will be to ensure Planet’s spacecraft transition smoothly from design to production while maintaining high standards for quality, schedule, and mission reliability.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco HQ office 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own

• Develop and execute plans for Verification and Validation of the satellite system, including environmental, functional, and end-to-end testing
• Lead triage of technical issues encountered during AI&T
• Track requirements and non-conformances surfaced during AI&T and assess cross-functional risks as well as impacts to customer-specific deliverables
• Lead continuous improvement of AI&T process to help transition Planet’s R&D development to scaled manufacturing programs of record
• Complete feed-back loop to multiple design teams, including Mechanical, Thermal, ADSCS/GNC, Propulsion, Electrical,

[…]
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AI in Our Interviewing Process : Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.

Candidate AI Policy : Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions . If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact accommodations@planet.com with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.