Job Description
Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history.
Key Responsibilities
- The Electro-Optical Systems team at Planet is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer to help drive the design of payloads in Planet’s fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. Your mission will be to champion our payload design efforts, with a specific focus on opto-mechanical design and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned opto-mechanical designer who has led optical system engineering efforts across multiple programs from conceptual design through flight. As a member of the Electro-Optical Systems team within Planet’s Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet’s agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work hand-in-glove with optical engineering, structural analysis, thermal engineering, and reliability & qualification, as well as the rest of Planet’s leading-edge spacecraft design and manufacturing teams.
- This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco HQ 5 days per week.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 4+ years experience owning the development of opto-mechanical products from requirements through conceptual design, testing and manufacturing
- Experience designing for high-reliability space environments including launch survivability, vacuum conditions, on-orbit performance through thermal conditions (STOP)
- Experience in the design and fabrication of optical assemblies, incorporating components made from glass, carbon fiber, metals, ceramics, epoxies, as well as mechanisms and electrical elements
- Practical and direct engagement with hardware, from prototyping to production and testing phases
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience working in a dynamic environment while driving projects to completion
- Good verbal and visual communication skills
- Expertise in optics / opto-mechanical manufacturing, metrology, alignment and calibration
- Ability to build out the manufacturing line for precision optical systems
- Experience with dynamic hardware builds, vibration and shock testing, telescope assembly, and optical performance testing
- Experience applying systems engineering principles to optimize optical payload integration, focusing on requirements management, trade-off analysis, and balancing system-level constraints such as cost, schedule, and performance
- Ability to drive manufacturers and DFM/DFA
- Proficiency in SolidWorks, Zemax, Matlab, Visual Basic, Python and/or C/C++
- 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 & Perks
- 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
Ready to Apply?
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