SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 162,600 - 203,200 / annual
Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history, delivering empirical data via a cloud-based platform to commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. The company controls every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering.
You will serve as a spacecraft technical lead guiding 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. Working directly with Manufacturing, Test, and Qualification teams alongside cross-functional engineering design teams, you will ensure all requirements and non-conformances are properly dispositioned.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and execute comprehensive V&V plans for satellite systems, including environmental, functional, and end-to-end testing
- Lead triage of technical issues encountered during AI&T
- Track requirements and non-conformances, assess cross-functional risks, and evaluate impacts to customer-specific deliverables
- Drive continuous improvement of AI&T processes to transition R&D development to scaled manufacturing programs
- Provide feedback to multiple design teams (Mechanical, Thermal, ADSCS/GNC, Propulsion, Electrical, Manufacturing) for design iteration
This role requires a solid technical baseline and systems-level mindset. You will need 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 is ensuring Planet's spacecraft transition smoothly from design to production while maintaining high standards for quality, schedule, and mission reliability.
The position is hybrid, requiring 3 days per week at the San Francisco HQ office.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 6+ years of relevant work experience in the design and development of satellite systems
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or similar
- Experience with vehicle testing, including both functional and environmental testing
- Familiarity with requirements formulation and validation/verification best practices
- Familiarity with space manufacturing processes, test strategies, and V&V workflows
- Experience with avionics integration, including first-order electronics debugging
- Solid technical baseline with a "roll-up-your-sleeves" mentality to engage deeply with complex systems
- Exceptional written and verbal communication and facilitation skills; ability to stay organized, manage schedule, and drive consensus in high-pressure environments
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- 6+ years in the satellite industry, including design/analysis, AI&T, and/or V&V
- Experience managing spacecraft hardware and software build and development cycles
- Deep technical fluency in at least one spacecraft specialization (structures, avionics, thermal design, software)
- Familiarity with industry standards including NASA GEVS and SMC-S-16 for small satellites (50-200 kg)
- Remote sensing experience related to electro-optical payloads
- Familiarity with industry standards and regulatory requirements for satellites and rideshare launch vehicles
Note: This position requires access to export-controlled information; employment is contingent on the candidate's ability to access applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing.
