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 headquartered in San Francisco, California, Earth.

About the Role:

Our Payload Group is looking for a 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. We are responsible for system-level analysis, operations, simulations and development for our earth observation payloads. Our team works at the intersection of hardware, software, and product engineering teams in the Payload group group. The role will appeal to candidates that enjoy the interchange between photography, science, systems engineering, and operations.

Impact You’ll Own:

• Leading the design, manufacturing, testing and operation of new and advanced imaging systems 
• Support and drive a multi-organizational System Engineering effort to develop an advanced payload and spacecraft
• Collaborating with external partners to transfer advanced imaging know how and expertise into Planet to establish a vibrant and financially sustainable platform
• Derive, own and drive the payload requirements from inception to mission implementation.
• Negotiate and implement interface control documents within the payload systems and with the spacecraft bus.
• Support the development and implementation of verification and validation plans for the payload system. 
• Lead the payload cross-team collaborations 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:

• 5+ years of experience designing airborne or space imaging payloads and/or telescopes.
• A passion for photography, earth sciences, and geography
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a technical manner across organizational and functional boundaries to deliver capability to users
• Experience with multispectral or hyperspectral imaging systems
• Experience with program lifecycle stages including design, assembly, integration and test, or flight operations of imaging or camera hardware
• Experience leveraging scientific tools based in MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++ to advance design maturity and analyze system performance 
• Familiarity with source control and project management tools
• Hands-on, can-do attitude, great interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate effectively
• Practical experience in solving problems by exploiting large cloud-based datasets
• BS/MS in a EE, CS, AA or relevant scientific/engineering field

What Makes You Stand Out:

• 10+ years of experience in a technical leadership role.
• 5+ years GIS, remote sensing, photogrammetry, or mapping work experience
• Experience with InGaAs, HgCdTe or spectrometer-on-chip sensors 
• Solid Machine Learning and Dynamical Systems foundation
• PhD in EE, CS, AA or relevant scientific/engineering field

Benefits While Working at Planet:

• Comprehensive Health Plan
• Wellness program and onsite massages in specific offices
• Flexible Time Off
• Recognition Programs
• Commuter Benefits
• Learning and Tuition Reimbursement
• Parental Leave
• Offsites and Happy Hours
• Volunteering Benefits

Some Press About Us: 

Our CEO, Will Marshall featured on TED and featured in a Planet Blog

“Planet: Bringing Space Back Down to Earth”

Tiny, privately owned satellites are changing how we view the Earth features in NBC News

“Planet And Rocket Lab Create Mission Patch To Honor Women In Aerospace” —Planet Blog

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.