Program Director, Hyperspectral

About Planet

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 world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

About the Role

The Program Director, Hyperspectral is responsible for realizing the full commercial potential of Planet’s Hyperspectral business line (aka Tanager). As the best-in-class commercial hyperspectral imager, Tanager data has significant commercial value and has only just started its journey to commercial success. The Program Director must deliver a positive financial ROI while expanding the global climate impact potential that this data has. They will achieve this aim by coordinating teams and resources across the company to ensure that the capabilities delivered by the program meet the needs of the market and with a viable business model and GTM strategy. The Program Director must be able to mobilize the salesforce, set the strategy for new hyperspectral products, and enlist the teams that will establish plans, programs and teams that maximize the chance of success. Tanager-1 launched in August 2024 and is reaching full commercial capability, thus the hyperspectral business line requires a skilled business leader to execute strategy across sales, marketing, product, finance, and legal while ensuring that Planet’s spacecraft production, ground infrastructure, data processing continues to operate a high level of performance. The Program Director is successful through guiding the evolution and growth of the core program team to drive the top-level mission elements while enabling and empowering the executing teams. Thus, the Program Director must demonstrate an excellent commitment to Planet’s cultural values, agile principles, and servant leadership to succeed in this role. They enhance their effectiveness through generating personal credibility and building excellent relationships across the company.

This is a full-time, remote position based in the United States. If located near one of our offices, you are expected to work from that office 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own

• Act as the individual responsible for overall program success, ensuring that the capabilities delivered by the program meet the needs of the market and with a viable business model
• Work with Finance, Legal, Marketing, Sales, and Product to define and articulate a business strategy that evolves with the market
• Accountable for ensuring that the program maintains close alignment to Planet’s commercial, technical and product roadmap, that it complements Planet’s other product offerings, and that there is a compelling commercial business case that finances Tanager constellation growth.
• Represent the program internally to senior leadership and the broader company. Work with the Planet exec sponsor to make sure that the program is best positioned and supported to achieve its objectives.
• Grow, lead, and manage the cross-functional program team. This core team has scope t