Senior Electrical Engineer, Power

Planet Labs PBC; California, Emmaus, San Francisco (MO, PA, CA); Hybrid; USD 205,000 - 258,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of space technology, where you will play a crucial role in designing power subsystems for cutting-edge satellites. This hybrid position offers the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team of engineers, tackling challenges in high-voltage power electronics and ensuring that designs meet rigorous standards for space applications. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, you will contribute to projects that push the boundaries of what's possible in satellite technology. If you're passionate about using your expertise to make a significant impact, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Generous Paid Time Off

16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Wellness Program

Home Office Reimbursement

Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Equity

Volunteering Paid Time Off

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in PCB design, focusing on power electronics.
• Expertise in high voltage power converters and component selection.

Responsibilities

• Design power subsystems for satellites, ensuring compliance with space environment.
• Collaborate with teams for testing and validation of designs.

Skills

PCB Design

Power Electronics

High Voltage Switching

Analog Design

Digital Design

Embedded Systems

Python Scripting

Tools

Altium Designer

Oscilloscopes

Network Analyzers

Signal Generators

Simulation Tools

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.

About the Role:

As a member of the Electrical Engineering team, you will work in a group of dedicated engineers responsible for the design of Planet's satellites. You will architect and design the power subsystems on our modular satellite bus, and bring-up, validate, and qualify your designs for the space environment.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to be in our San Francisco, HQ 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Architecture, design, and schematic entry of power subsystems including MPPTs, electronic propulsion PPUs, power regulation and distribution for our fleets of nano and small satellites


• Oversight of PCB layout process for your designs, as well as release of drawings for manufacturing


• PCBA bring-up, debugging, and functional verification.


• With assistance of other teams, qualify design for EMI/EMC compliance, thermal performance, and ensure design can survive the high shock and vibration loads of a rocket launch.


• Work with the manufacturing test engineering team to define a highly automated test procedure for each PCBA.


• Anomaly response and troubleshooting systems for on-orbit spacecraft.

What You Bring:

• 10+ years of experience designing PCBs, with at least 5 of these years focused on power electronics


• Experience designing high voltage (>500V) switching power converters


• Comfortable with high voltage power component selection, in particular with compound semiconductor technologies (SiC, GaN)


• Cross-functional design experience with mechanical/thermal and packaging constraints


• Familiarity with analog design, digital design, mixed-signal design (ADCs/DACs)


• Embedded systems design experience


• Knowledge of PCB layout techniques for optimized power and ground routing and EMI mitigation


• Hands-on expertise EE tools (oscilloscopes, network analyzers, signal generators, etc)


• Experience with simulation tools for power electronics


• Fluency with Altium Designer for schematic capture


• Fluency in Python or other scripting languages to control/automate test equipment (power supplies, solar array simulators, electronic loads)

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience specifying or designing custom magnetics and other passives for power electronics circuits


• Experience with MPPTs and solar arrays


• Experience with electric propulsion systems


• Experience designing for high-reliability aerospace/LEO applications-designing radiation tolerant electronics, vacuum compatible hardware, frequent thermal cycling

Application Deadline:

August 21, 2025 by 11:59 PM PDT

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

$205,800—$257,200 USD

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.

Privacy Policy: By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.

Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.