Electrical Engineer

Planet; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision plans

HSA with company contribution

Paid time off + holidays

16 weeks parental leave

Wellness program

Home office reimbursement

Phone and Internet reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement & LinkedIn Learn

Equity

Commuter benefits

Volunteering PTO

Job summary

Planet is seeking an electrical engineer to own end-to-end hardware design for satellite systems in a hybrid SF office role, including travel to Berlin. You will design analog, power and mixed-signal subsystems, perform simulations, and collaborate with manufacturing to bring designs to space-ready readiness.

The role requires hands-on experience with PCB design, test, and debugging in space-grade environments, plus familiarity with embedded interfaces and lab equipment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience taking designs from schematics to manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace, or related field.
• Experience with power converter, analog, and mixed-signal PCB design.
• Experience with lab equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design of analog, power and mixed-signal subsystems from requirements to design.
• Perform schematic capture, power/signal integrity simulations and reviews.
• Design harnesses with component selection and fabrication drawings.
• Validate and debug designs during bring-up and testing phases.
• Develop power supply designs and ensure EMC compatibility.
• Deliver interfaces to thermal systems, sensors, and actuators; support satellite factory tests.

Skills

PCB design

Analog design

Power electronics

Embedded systems

Solder rework

I2C SPI USB CAN Ethernet

Altium

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Aerospace or Computer Engineering background

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Multimeters

Job description

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

Join a team doing what’s rarely done: blending the rigor of aerospace with the speed and scale of mass production. In this role, you’ll have end-to-end ownership of the hardware that powers Planet’s satellites. You will design, optimize, and validate the critical electrical, data, and embedded systems that are the brains of our spacecraft. This includes pushing your PCBAs to their limits in testing to ensure they are ready for the harsh environment of space. If you're an engineer excited by the idea of seeing your personal design work launch on a rocket and begin its mission in orbit, this is the role for you.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week. This role will also require up to 25% travel to our Berlin office.

Impact You'll Own

• Lead electrical design of analog, power and mixed signal subsystems from requirements through architecture and detailed design
• Execute schematic capture, power/signal integrity simulations; guides and reviews layout design
• Design harnesses, including component selection, signal definition, coordination with mechanical engineering to define lengths, and generation of fabrication drawings
• Validates and debugs designs during bring-up; supports integration testing
• Develop power supply designs, conducts power integrity checks, and ensures design for EMC
• Deliver analog and mixed signal designs, including interfaces to thermal systems, sensors, and actuators
• Collaborate with manufacturing and qualification teams to develop tests at satellite factories

What You Bring

• 2+ years experience in taking designs from schematics to manufacturing
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace, or a related field
• Experience with power converter, analog, and mixed signal PCB design
• Experience with lab equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters
• Proficient solder rework skills
• Comfortable with embedded systems and peripheral interfaces (e.g, I2C, SPI, USB, CAN, Ethernet, etc)
• Decision-making capability regarding design and implementation

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience with Altium tools for PCB design
• Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python

Application Deadline

11:45p / 23:45 PT on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able.

EAR/ITAR Requirements

This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled 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

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

• 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)
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

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

$114,200—$142,700 USD

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Why We Care So Much About Belonging.

We’re 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. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging—dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply! At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s 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 you’re 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 equal opportunity 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 [e-mail] or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

AI in Our Interviewing Process

Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.

Candidate AI Policy

Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact [e-mail] with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.