Software Engineer - Platform, Mission Systems

Planet Labs PBC; United States; On-site; USD 127,000 - 191,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Generous Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

Planet Labs PBC is hiring for a full-time remote position focused on the management of cloud infrastructure to support the operation of satellites. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Aerospace Engineering and at least 4 years of relevant experience.

The role involves maintaining automation tools, selecting software technologies, and designing critical infrastructure. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively are essential.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in building services leveraging cloud tech.
• Attention to quality including automated testing.

Responsibilities

• Maintain automation and services for satellite operation.
• Evaluate and select software technologies.
• Design and deploy critical infrastructure.

Skills

Cloud-based infrastructure services

Python programming

Linux skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

AWS

Ansible

Docker

Job description

About the Role

Planet's Mission Control is a web-based application that empowers spacecraft operators and analysts to monitor, control, and study our growing fleet of satellites. It is supported by microservices handling scheduling, tasking, telemetry processing and other operational needs. The team builds, maintains, and operates these tools to provide a seamless interface for Planet operators and engineers.

This is a full‑time, remote position available to candidates in the United States or Canada. If you live near one of our offices, you are expected to work from that office 3 days a week.

Impact You'll Own

• Maintain and augment the automation and services ultimately responsible for the operation of Planet's satellites. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Manage cloud‑based infrastructure services and associated tooling to meet internal needs and support customer‑facing service level agreements.
  • Evaluate and choose appropriate software technologies.
  • Design and deploy critical infrastructure.
• Contribute with a team that values open and honest communication, collaboration, self‑learning and initiative to solve problems big and small.
• Work closely with various teams across Planet, ranging from Satellite and Ground Operations, to Pipeline and Product teams to ensure the constellation meets all mission needs.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
• 4+ years of relevant work experience.
• Experience building services that leverage cloud‑based infrastructure and tooling such as AWS or GCP.
• Experience maintaining infrastructure with Ansible or similar (e.g. Kubernetes, Terraform).
• Experience in Python programming.
• Experience with relational database technologies (Postgres, MySQL, etc.).
• Attention to quality including automated testing, code review, and documentation.
• Experience with maintaining peer‑reviewed code and continuous integration and deployment workflows and tooling like GitLab CI and Docker or similar.
• Proficient Linux skills.
• Ability to be a self‑starter for solving problems in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to clearly communicate and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience in API design.
• Experience working with monitoring tools like Datadog, Sentry, or equivalent.
• Experience working in microservice environments.
• Knowledge of aerospace concepts.

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

• 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.

• New York City + California Salary Range: $153,000 — $191,400 USD
• San Francisco Salary Range: $144,500 — $180,600 USD
• US National Salary Range: $127,000 — $158,700 USD

Application Deadline

September 22, 2026 at 11:59p PT

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 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.

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.