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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:
The Mechanical Engineering team at Planet is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to help drive the design of next generation spacecraft payload components across Planet’s fleet of Earth-imaging satellites! Your mission will be to champion our payload design efforts, from the subsystem level, all the way up to the top-level instrument and spacecraft. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned mechanical designer who has led mechanical subsystem development across multiple programs from conceptual design through manufacturing and testing and into flight. As a member of the Payload Mechanical Engineering team within Planet’s Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet’s agile aerospace approach to payload design, and will work closely with Planet Mechanical Engineering Team, Electro-Optical Team, Qualification Team, and Manufacturing team as well as the rest of Planet’s leading-edge spacecraft design teams.
This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco 5 days per week.
Impact You'll Own:
- Own the mechanical design for payload subsystem components across Planet’s satellite fleet
- Drive documentation and presentation of new designs throughout design phases and reviews
- Collaborate with structural and thermal analysis teams to drive / perform analyses on key optical performance metrics
- Drive part / assembly tolerancing using GD&T, and own release of drawing packages for part fabrication
- Perform design and analysis to ensure survival throughout the component lifecycle
- Drive part / assembly design and fabrication in partnership with key vendors
- Collaborate with optical engineers and instrument assembly teams to implement key design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) features
- Support ICD development and size and develop interfaces for your subsystems
- Support test planning and qualification campaigns
- Support debugging and root-causing on-orbit anomalies and production
- Be hands on with flight and test hardware
What You Bring:
- 4+ years of cumulative experience owning products from requirements, thru conceptual design, testing and manufacturing.
- Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software and Product Lifecycle Management software.
- Proficiency using GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 to generate good quality, low cost parts.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
- Experience with design and fabrication of composites or metal components.
- Experience with kinematic systems or high precision actuators that must be aligned and stable until design end of life.
- Hands-on experience with dynamic hardware builds, vibration and shock testing.
- Ability to be self-motivated and responsible while working in a dynamic environment.
- Outstanding verbal and visual communication skills.
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Experience designing opto-mechanical components such as cameras, lens mounts, AR/VR, telescopes, LIDAR, MEMS etc. or similar sensor technologies.
- Experience designing products for low or mid volume serial production and have a good understanding of the tradeoffs between manufacturing methods for these volumes
- Ability to drive manufacturers and DFM/DFA
- Experience in optics / opto-mechanical hardware, mechanisms, and/or structures
- Experience designing flexures and/or bonded joint assemblies
- Experience designing athermal systems
- Machine shop experience fabricating or modifying parts (CNC Mill/Router, Mill, Lathe, Laser Cutter, 3D printer)
- Exposure to STOP (Structural, Thermal and Optical Performance) analysis
- Proficiency in Python, Matlab, and/or Visual Basic (VBA)
Application Deadline:
December 19, 2025 by 11:59 PM PST
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
- 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.
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. 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.
AI in Our Interviewing Process: Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We are currently exploring AI interviewing technologies 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.
Planet San Francisco, California, USA Office
Located in sunny SOMA, just a few blocks from the San Francisco Giants ballpark. Steps from world-class restaurants and public transportation.
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