Senior Software Engineer, Orbits R&D

Planet Labs PBC; United States; Remote; USD 142,000 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Senior Software Engineer, where you'll work on innovative software solutions for satellite Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning. Collaborate with aerospace experts to tackle complex challenges and enhance the operations of a diverse fleet of satellites. This role offers the chance to lead software strategy and mentor a talented team while contributing to groundbreaking missions that shape the future of Earth observation. With a commitment to a people-centric culture, this opportunity allows you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a remote-friendly work environment and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Generous Paid Time Off

16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Remote-friendly work environment

Wellness Program

Home Office Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Equity

Volunteering Paid Time Off

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in software development.
• Experience with maintaining peer-reviewed code and automated testing.
• Ability to analyze and operationalize MVP solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect software solutions for Flight Dynamics.
• Mentor aerospace engineers in software development.
• Contribute to operations of satellite fleets and future missions.

Skills

C++

Python

Software Development

Automated Testing

Continuous Integration

Orbital Mechanics

Operational Analysis

Technical Communication

Education

Advanced Degree in Computer Science

Advanced Degree in Aerospace Engineering

Advanced Degree in Physics

Tools

Docker

Jenkins

JIRA

Linux

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 Senior Software Engineer, you will work on a small team of dedicated engineers responsible for the Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for Planet's fleet of satellites. The Flight Dynamics disciplines of this team include mission design, orbit determination, maneuver design and execution (with propulsion and differential-drag), and conjunction assessment & mitigation. Mission Planning is concerned with optimal scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet's Dove, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations. This operations research problem has a direct impact on fulfilling the business needs for the world's largest heterogenous constellation of Earth Observation satellites. You will be responsible for architecting software, writing production-level code, and leading the development of constellation-level automation tools. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to mentor and establish the team's software strategy.

This is a full-time position, It can be located at our SF-Head Quarters or remote based in the United States or Canada.

Impact You'll Own:

• Research, design and architect new software solutions for managing Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites


• Work on complex applied mathematics problems with aerospace engineers, and provide them with software mentorship


• Directly contribute to Planet's success by improving the operations of its existing fleets of satellites, alongside enabling future missions

What You Bring:

• Advanced degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, physics or related technical field


• 8+ years of total relevant experience


• Software development experience in C++ and Python


• Experience maintaining peer-reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment


• Familiarity with orbital mechanics and space mission operations


• Ability to carry out first-principles analysis and operationalize MVP solutions


• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Familiarity with Docker, Jenkins, JIRA, and linux-based systems


• Experience implementing one or more of the following:




• Orbit determination and high-fidelity propagation


• Covariance realism


• Low-thrust mission design


• Operations research and solving large-scale optimization problems


• Maneuver automation


• Constellation management


• Microservice software architecture

#LI-REMOTE

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

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

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.

New York City + California Salary Range

$153,000—$191,300 USD

San Francisco Salary Range

$162,600—$203,200 USD

US National Salary Range

$142,800—$178,500 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.