Planet · 12 hours ago
Thermal Engineer
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid Level
$128K/yr - $160K/yr
4+ years expPlanet is a global company that designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. They are seeking a Thermal Engineer to drive thermal design analysis and testing of spacecraft, collaborating with various engineering teams to ensure optimal thermal performance throughout all mission phases.
AerospaceAnalyticsBig DataGeospatialRemote SensingSoftware
Responsibilities
Own the thermal design on key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s satellite fleet
Collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to derive requirements that drive the thermal design
Ensure that all components of our spacecraft are within their operational and survival temperature ranges throughout all phases of the mission
Collaborate with optical and mechanical engineers to ensure optical requirements are met
Drive part/assembly thermal analysis on key spacecraft subsystems to meet temperature requirements
Oversee quality of our space hardware as it’s being built
Develop sub-contracts and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for thermal hardware fabrication as needed
Support test planning and qualification campaigns by developing tests that validate the thermal performance of your designs
Support ICD development by ensuring the thermal interfaces are sufficiently well defined for mission success
Own thermal hardware configuration management and release to production
Collaborate with mission operation engineers to ensure proper mission design and flight operational and survival temperatures
Collaborate with the guidance, navigation and control engineers to ensure proper mission design and thermal modeling inputs
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
4+ years of experience thermal designing spacecraft
Good understanding of heat transfer
Knowledge of thermal control technology of spacecraft
Ability to design tests proving thermal design
Experience in Thermal Desktop/SINDA for spacecraft-level analysis or similar tools for chip-level analysis
Ability to progress initiatives while working independently and as part of a team
Preferred
Experience with satellites
Experience with CAD - drawing your own thermal parts
Machine shop and rapid prototyping experience (e.g., 3d printing, metal fabrication)
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
Company
Planet
Planet is an aerospace and data analytics company that builds small satellites and delivers information about the changing planet.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Planet has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2022 (5)
2021 (12)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.03BKey Investors
BlackRockBloombergNEFPrelude Ventures
2025-09-09Post Ipo Debt· $460M
2021-12-08Post Ipo Equity· $200M
2021-12-08IPO
Leadership Team
Will Marshall
Co-Founder & CEO
Robbie Schingler
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Recent News
2026-01-13
Morningstar.com
2026-01-12
Company data provided by crunchbase