Senior Payload System Engineer

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 Programs and System Engineering group is looking for a Senior Payload System Engineer to join the team that is designing, building and operating a constellation of hyperspectral payloads part of the Tanager program. This program aims to drive greenhouse gas emission reductions by making methane and carbon dioxide data accessible and actionable. This candidate will work at the intersection of hardware, software, and product. The role will appeal to candidates that enjoy the interchange between photography, science, systems engineering, and operations. An ideal candidate is proactive, self-motivated, and multi-faceted.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco Headquarters.

Impact You’ll Own:

• Support and drive a multi-organizational System Engineering effort to develop, sustain and scale an advanced payload and hyperspectral imaging system.
• Use on-orbit data to improve the reliability, robustness, and throughput of our satellite fleet.
• Collaborate with external partners to transfer advanced imaging know how and expertise into Planet to establish a vibrant and financially sustainable platform
• Drive the payload requirements from inception to mission implementation.
• Lead the payload cross-team collaborations between the hardware, satellite operations, imaging operations, pipeline, and software teams.
• Act as the key interface between payload design, build and the overall orchestration of the image pipelines.
• Support the development and implementation of verification and validation plans for the payload system.
• Negotiate and implement interface control documents within the payload systems and with the spacecraft bus.

What You Bring:

• 10+ years of relevant experience, of which 5+ years of experience designing airborne or space imaging payloads and/or telescopes.
• 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
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• 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:

• 5+ years GIS, remote sensing, photogrammetry, or mapping work experience
• Experience with sensor chips, telescopes, camera electronics
• PhD in EE, CS, AA or relevant scientific/engineering field

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
• Remote-friendly work environment
• 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.

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