Opto-Mechanical Engineer at Planet

San Francisco, California, United States

Planet Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Aerospace, Space TechnologyIndustries

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 skills

Responsibilities

  • Own the opto-mechanical manufacturing process of optical payloads on Planet’s next-generation satellites
  • Design the manufacturing line for mid-volume production of optical payloads. Make first principle based, data-driven decisions throughout the design process to ensure efficient assembly and test processes
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as structural, thermal analysts and optical engineer groups to drive and perform analyses to ensure payloads meet stiffness, strength, thermal, and launch survivability requirements, as well as maintain on-orbit performance through STOP (Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance)
  • Drive part and assembly design, manage fabrication with key vendors, perform failure analysis, and execute tolerance stackup and GD&T analyses to ensure precision and reliability
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive design documentation
  • Lead technical presentations and reviews across all design review gates
  • Support test planning and qualification test campaigns
  • Be hands-on with flight and test hardware

Skills

Opto-Mechanical Design
Optical Systems Engineering
Payload Design
Satellite Manufacturing
Structural Analysis
Thermal Engineering
Reliability Engineering
Aerospace Design

Planet

High-resolution satellite imagery subscription service

About Planet

Planet captures high-resolution satellite images of the Earth using a fleet of small satellites called Doves. These satellites provide near-daily, detailed imagery across eight different bands, allowing clients to monitor environmental changes, manage resources, plan urban developments, and respond to disasters. The company operates on a subscription-based model, giving clients access to a vast library of images and data analytics tools. This approach ensures consistent revenue as clients require ongoing updates. Planet differentiates itself by offering customized solutions and educational resources through Planet School, helping users effectively utilize their platform. The goal of Planet is to be a leader in the geospatial intelligence market, providing valuable insights through frequent and detailed Earth observation.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2010Year Founded
$617.1MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Data & Analytics, AerospaceIndustries
1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Sabbatical Leave
Remote Work Options
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Home Office Stipend
Phone/Internet Stipend
Tuition Reimbursement
Equity
Commuter Benefits
Volunteering Paid Time Off
Parental Leave

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Antaris threatens market share.
Recent layoffs may impact operational efficiency and innovation.
Expansion of partnerships may stretch resources, reducing service quality.

Differentiation

Planet operates the largest fleet of Earth-imaging satellites globally.
Their subscription model ensures continuous revenue from diverse sectors.
Planet's AI-driven analytics enhance satellite imagery insights significantly.

Upsides

AI-driven analytics can expand into agriculture and urban planning sectors.
Partnerships with platforms like UP42 enhance data offerings and capabilities.
Smart city management using satellite data offers new revenue streams.

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