Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Planet Labs; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering space company as a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer, where you'll lead the design of optical payloads for Earth-imaging satellites. This role offers the chance to work at the forefront of aerospace technology, collaborating with top experts in a dynamic environment. You'll be responsible for driving the design and manufacturing processes, ensuring high reliability in space conditions, and making impactful contributions to innovative satellite missions. With a focus on teamwork and creativity, this position not only allows you to showcase your technical skills but also to be part of a mission that aims to change how we see our planet. If you're passionate about space and technology, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution

Generous Paid Time Off

16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Remote-friendly work environment

Wellness Program

Home Office Reimbursement

Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Commuter Benefits

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in opto-mechanical product development.
• Experience in designing for high-reliability space environments.

Responsibilities

• Own the opto-mechanical design and manufacturing process.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for payload performance.

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

Optical system engineering

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Zemax

Matlab

Visual Basic

Python

C/C++

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

About the Role:

The Electro-Optical Systems team at Planet is seeking a Senior 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 full-time position is required to be on-site in our San Francisco HQ 5 days a week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Own the opto-mechanical design and 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 or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ 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 fast-paced environment while driving projects to completion.
• Outstanding verbal and visual communication skills.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree.
• Expertise in optics / opto-mechanical manufacturing, metrology, alignment and calibration.
• Proven ability to build out the manufacturing line for precision optical systems.
• Hands-on 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: June 9, 2025 by 11:45pm 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.
• Remote-friendly work environment.
• 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 $144,500 — $180,600 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.