Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Planet Labs PBC; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 144,500 - 180,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Generous Paid Time Off

16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Equity

Commuter Benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Planet Labs PBC is hiring an Opto-Mechanical Engineer to design payloads for Earth-imaging satellites. Based in San Francisco, this full-time role involves collaborating with various engineering disciplines and managing the manufacturing of optical systems.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fields, with at least 4 years of relevant experience, and a strong background in opto-mechanical design.

Qualifications

• 4+ years experience in opto-mechanical product development.
• Experience with design for high-reliability space environments.
• Direct engagement with hardware through prototyping and testing.

Responsibilities

• Manage the opto-mechanical manufacturing process.
• Design the manufacturing line for optical payloads.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure payload performance.

Skills

Opto-mechanical manufacturing

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Zemax

Matlab

Python

Job description

About the Role

The Electro-Optical Systems team at Planet is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer to help drive the design of payloads in Planet's fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. Your mission will be to champion our payload design efforts, with a specific focus on opto-mechanical design and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned opto-mechanical designer who has led optical system engineering efforts across multiple programs from conceptual design through flight. As a member of the Electro-Optical Systems team within Planet's Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet's agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work hand-in-glove with optical engineering, structural analysis, thermal engineering, and reliability & qualification, as well as the rest of Planet's leading-edge spacecraft design and manufacturing teams.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco HQ 5 days per week.

Impact You'll Own

• 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

What You Bring

• 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 and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a dynamic environment while driving projects to completion
• Good verbal and visual communication skills

What Makes You Stand Out

• Expertise in optics / opto-mechanical manufacturing, metrology, alignment and calibration
• Ability to build out the manufacturing line for precision optical systems
• Experience with dynamic hardware builds, vibration and shock testing, telescope assembly, and optical performance testing
• Experience applying systems engineering principles to optimize optical payload integration, focusing on requirements management, trade-off analysis, and balancing system-level constraints such as cost, schedule, and performance
• Ability to drive manufacturers and DFM/DFA
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, Zemax, Matlab, Visual Basic, Python and/or C/C++

Application Deadline

July 1, 2026 at 11:59pm PT

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

• 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 ReimbursementTuition 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 $144,500 — $180,600 USD. 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 Fair Chance Ordinance

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

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.