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 worldwide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.
About the Role: At Planet, we launch spacecraft early and often.
From technology demonstrators to operational constellations, exceptional engineers are needed to design, manufacture, test, and launch spacecraft.
This role offers a unique opportunity for an engineer to get involved from A to Z in projects pertaining to a wide range of engineering fields, with some design, analysis, hands-on, and operations opportunities.
As a Spacecraft Qualification engineer, you will join a small team of dedicated engineers playing a key role in the advent of several platforms.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter, curious and creative, that has a technical understanding of space systems and wants to be involved with hardware and problem-solving.
To be successful in this role, the candidate should enjoy hands-on work, thrive in ambiguity, and be able to lead their own projects to completion.
Coming from a fast-paced aerospace environment, having completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key teams, will be a plus.
This is a full-time position that will require you to be physically present at our headquarters in San Francisco, CA, 5 days a week.
Occasional travel should be expected as part of testing and integration operations.
Impact You'll Own: Develop test plans:Understand needs and requirements for various satellites components and systems.Author and maintain detailed test plans, procedures and support tools.
Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.Design and validate test fixtures and Ground Support Equipment (GSE):Use 3D CAD software to design test fixtures and GSE equipment.
Run structural FEA.
Populate 2D drawings.Supervise and assist with procurement, machining, assembly and proofloading operations.Conduct testing:Develop, coordinate, and lead the execution of environmental test campaigns.Perform hands-on operations like GSE and instrumentation setup, inspections, etc.Operate and understand a variety of computer-automated and manual test equipment, including vibration and shock systems, data acquisition systems, thermal and vacuum chambers, etc.Take ownership of equipment and processes to identify failures, anomalies, root causes, and drive issues to resolution during and after the test.Drive measurement and test data analysis:Configure data acquisition software and hardware.Analyze and review data using numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results and ensure that the hardware operates as expected.
Identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement.Implement continuous improvement and process development:Proactively improve current test setups, stations and procedures to increase the efficiency and reliability of testing operations.Create, develop and test innovative mechanical solutions and testing methods.Document and develop communication:Keep detailed notes of tests, specimens and anomalies.
Report test results, providing recommendations for design modifications or improvements.Develop close communication and working relationships with Engineering and Manufacturing teams.
Participate in technical reviews, program status meetings, etc.What You Bring: MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Transportation Engineering or Electro-Mechanics/Robotics Engineering.4+ years of relevant work experience.Experience in environmental test qualification, running and managing test projects with 3+ months of vibration testing experience.Proven mechanical systems engineering intuition and critical thinking.Proficiency in using Solidworks CAD & FEA (simulation) or equivalent.Data analysis skills for evaluating system performance and identifying anomalies.Proficiency defining test strategies, test plans, test procedures, as well as general manufacturing workflows.Ability to work well under pressure while managing competing demands and tight deadlines.Ability to be self-directed, detail-oriented, and able to develop creative solutions in a dynamic multi-disciplinary environment.
Must be a team player able to work in a collaborative team environment.What Makes You Stand Out: Experience in operating a variety of test machines such as vibration shakers, thermal chambers, TVAC chambers, shock machine, as well as working with test equipment such as power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes.Interest in prototyping, rapid iteration and agile processes.
Experience in working in a machine shop.Experience building and working with DAQs for test article command/control and data gathering; well-versed with the instrumentation, usage, and data consumption from accelerometers, load cells and other DAQ sensors.Interest in automation.
Familiarity with Raspberry Pis, Node Red, or Python.Benefits While Working at Planet: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plansHealth Savings Account (HSA) with a company contributionGenerous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off16 Weeks of Paid Parental LeaveRemote-friendly work environmentWellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Home Office ReimbursementMonthly Phone and Internet ReimbursementTuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn LearningEquityCommuter Benefits (if local to an office)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.
San Francisco Salary Range
$128,400 - $160,500 USD
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