Tech Lead, System Validation

Planet Labs PBC; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

HSA contribution

Paid time off

Parental leave 16 weeks

Wellness Program

Home Office Reimbursement

Phone & Internet Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Equity

Commuter Benefits

Volunteer PTO

Job summary

Planet Labs PBC in San Francisco is seeking a System Validation Tech Lead to own the end-to-end testbed buildup, maintenance, and tooling, ensuring uptime for multi-mission validation. This role sits at the intersection of satellite operations and software engineering and requires coordinating across multiple POCs.

You will define priorities, drive automation, and ensure safe validation of software and firmware updates before deployment to active satellites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute roadmap for the buildout and maintenance of all systems validation testbeds.
• Engage stakeholders, prioritization of feature requests, and resourcing needed to execute.
• Design and develops tooling to ensure testbed users can effectively test their software and firmware updates.
• Manages testbed hardware and software configuration.
• Maximizes uptime of the multi-mission testbed by triaging and resolving testbed anomalies with SME support.

Skills

Bash

Python

Linux

IP Networks

Docker

Communication

Problem-solving

Independence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Manufacturing Engineering or related technical field

Tools

Docker

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 the System Validation Tech Lead, you are a critical member of the Space Operations team, responsible for the utility and scaling of our multi-mission system validation ("Sysval") testbeds. In this role, you will sit at the intersection of satellite operations and software engineering, driving the infrastructure that keeps our fleet performing reliably. You will own the end-to-end testbed buildup, maintenance, and tooling necessary to ensure it meets the rigorous needs of engineering. By identifying the largest impactors to testbed uptime, you will define the priorities and roadmap for testbed improvements and automation. You will establish resourcing needs and deliver through a network of mission- and discipline-specific POCs rather than through direct reports. Ultimately, your work directly ensures that new software and firmware updates are validated safely before reaching our active satellites in orbit.

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

Impact You'll Own

• Defines and executes the roadmap for the buildout and maintenance of all systems validation testbeds
• Drives stakeholder engagement, prioritization of stakeholder feature requests, and resourcing needed to execute
• Designs and develops tooling to ensure testbed users can effectively test their software and firmware updates
• Manages testbed hardware and software configuration
• Maximizes uptime of the multi-mission testbed by triaging and resolving testbed anomalies with support of subject matter experts

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field relevant discipline
• 4-6 years of relevant testbed or network engineering experience
• Experience with Bash, Python or other scripting or object-oriented languages
• Experience with Linux or UNIX servers, IP Networks , Docker
• Excellent written and verbal communication and facilitation skills
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions
• Demonstrating a customer-centric mindset
• Working independently with minimal supervision

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience with scaling systems on satellite manufacturing and/or testing
• Experience in project management with a cross-functional team
• Experience in preparing training material or directly training team on new responsibilities

Application Deadline

11:45p / 23:45 PT on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.

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

$144,500 — $180,600 USD

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.

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.

AI in Our Interviewing Process

Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.

Candidate AI Policy

Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools-e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.-is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact [e-mail] with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.