Senior Mechanical Engineer (San Francisco)

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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 worlds 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 peoplecentric 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 worldwide and joining us from offices in SanFrancisco, WashingtonDC, 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 key spacecraft subsystems across Planets fleet of Earthimaging satellites! Your mission will be to champion our spacecraft design efforts, from the subsystem level, all the way up to the toplevel 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 Mechanical Engineering team within Planets Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planets agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work closely with Planet Mechanical Engineering Team, Qualification Team, and Manufacturing team as well as the rest of Planets leadingedge spacecraft design teams. This is a fulltime, inoffice role which will require you to work in our SanFrancisco HQ 5 days a week.

Impact You'll Own

• Own the mechanical design on key spacecraft subsystems across Planets satellite fleet
• Drive documentation and presentation of new designs throughout design phases and reviews
• Collaborate with structural analysis team to drive/perform analyses on key spacecraft subsystems to meet stiffness and strength requirements
• Drive part/assembly tolerancing using geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and own release of drawing packages for part fabrication
• Perform design and analysis responsibilities
• Drive part/assembly design and fabrication at key subsystem vendors
• Collaborate with manufacturing team to implement key spacecraft design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) features
• Support interface control document (ICD) development and size and develop interfaces for your subsystems
• Support test planning and qualification campaigns
• Support debugging and rootcausing onorbit anomalies and production
• Be hands on with flight and test hardware

What You Bring

• 6+ years experience owning products from requirements, through conceptual design, and into test and manufacturing
• Advanced in computeraided design (CAD) software and Product Lifecycle Management software
• Solid experience using GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 to generate good quality, low cost parts
• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
• Experience with design and fabrication of composites and metal components
• Handson experience with dynamic hardware builds, test plan creation, and hardware validation
• Ability to be selfmotivated and responsible while working in a dynamic environment
• Excellent verbal and visual communication skills

What Makes You Stand Out

• 2+ years of experience designing mechanisms, electromechanical components, or solar arrays
• 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/optomechanical hardware, mechanisms, structures, and/or electronics/RF packaging
• Machine shop experience fabricating or modifying parts (CNC Mill/Router, Mill, Lathe, Laser Cutter, 3D printer)
• Proficiency in Python, Matlab, and/or Visual Basic (VBA)

Application Deadline: February6th,2026, 11:59pmPDT

EAR/ITAR Requirements

This position requires access to exportcontrolled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidates ability to access all applicable exportcontrolled 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

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
• Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and companywide 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 fulltime position at the commencement of employment is listed below. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary shortterm and longterm 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.

SanFrancisco Salary Range: $144,500$180,600USD

Why We Care So Much About Belonging

Were 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. Thats why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belongingdreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you, but youre thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please do apply! At Planet, we are looking for wellrounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We dont just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill peoples 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 youre 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 equalopportunity 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 accommodations@planet.com or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

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