Job Description
The Mechanical Engineer will lead the design, analysis, and manufacturing of spacecraft subsystems for Planet's fleet of Earth-imaging satellites, collaborating across teams to ensure robust, manufacturable, and flight-ready hardware.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop spacecraft subsystems from conceptual to manufacturing and testing stages
- Drive documentation, presentation, and review of new spacecraft designs
- Collaborate with structural analysis team to ensure subsystems meet stiffness and strength requirements
- Create and release detailed drawings and tolerances for part fabrication
- Support interface control document development and subsystem interface design
- Assist in test planning, qualification campaigns, and hardware validation
- Troubleshoot and root cause on-orbit anomalies and production issues
- Work hands-on with flight hardware and test hardware
Requirements
- 10 years experience owning products from requirements, through conceptual and detailed component design, and into test and manufacturing
- 2 years specifically in deployable solar array design including panel architecture and trades, mechanisms design, and prototype, qualification, and productionization of all hardware
- Experience with design and fabrication of composites, photovoltaics, and metal components
- Experience with high level architecture design, developing Interface Control Documents (ICDs), managing requirements and budgets for a subassembly
- Experience with dynamic hardware builds, test plan creation, and hardware validation
- Advanced in computer-aided design (CAD) software and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software
- Solid experience using Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (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
- Ability to be self-motivated and responsible while working in a dynamic environment
- Excellent verbal and visual communication skills
- Experience designing mechanisms, electromechanical components, or primary/secondary structures for at least 2 years
- Experience designing products for low or mid volume serial production with a good understanding of the tradeoffs between manufacturing methods for these volumes
- Ability to drive manufacturers and implement Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
- Proficiency in Python, Matlab, and/or Visual Basic (VBA) applications
- Ability to access export-controlled information without requiring additional export licensing, as this position requires compliance with EAR ITAR regulations
Benefits & Perks
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
Paid Time Off for Volunteering
Discretionary short-term and long-term incentives, bonus, and equity
Salary range of $182,900 - $228,600 USD (dependent on experience, skills, location)
Ready to Apply?
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