Planet · 20 hours ago
Manufacturing Technician
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$54.90/hr - $68.61/hr
4+ years expPlanet is a global company that designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites. As a Manufacturing Technician, you will directly work on the assembly of imaging satellites, ensuring quality and precision in a fast-paced lab and cleanroom environment.
AerospaceAnalyticsBig DataGeospatialRemote SensingSoftware
Responsibilities
Perform electro-mechanical assembly and integration of production and prototype satellite systems, following work instructions and drawings
Assemble a wide range of hardware (e.g., fasteners, harnesses, brackets, subassemblies), using calibrated tools and fixtures to achieve consistent, repeatable results
Handle and install sensitive components with care, including cleaning parts, epoxy application, torquing fasteners, and routing cables to defined standards
Support test technicians and engineers by setting up satellites and subassemblies on test fixtures, making required mechanical and electrical connections, and assisting with debug activities
Communicate via Slack, Jira, and other team tools to keep engineers and stakeholders informed of build status, issues, and risks
Help debug failed units by performing careful rework and providing clear feedback about what you observe on the hardware and in the data
Maintain an organized, safe, and FOD-free workspace, including proper housekeeping, tool control, and ESD-safe handling where required, and consistently follow lab and cleanroom gowning protocols (lab coat, hair net, gloves, booties, ESD straps)
Contribute to the development and refinement of work instructions and build documentation by flagging unclear steps, mis-matched parts, or frequent sources of error
Cross-train across multiple assembly areas and product lines to support shifting priorities and keep production moving
Work with our in-house software to track each stage of the build, stay organized and up to date, upload photos, and follow step-by-step guides
Qualification
Required
4+ years of hands-on technician experience in production, manufacturing, aerospace, or other precision hardware environments, with experience building multiple units rather than only one-off prototypes
Bachelor's degree in a related field
Ability to follow detailed build procedures and work instructions from start to finish, with a strong track record of completing work accurately
Solid hands-on skills with small components and delicate hardware, such as torquing fasteners, cable and harness routing, connector assembly and crimping, adhesive/epoxy work, and lifting and moving sensitive parts
Proficient communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with technicians, engineers, and leads on the production floor
Solid organizational and problem-solving skills, with a steady, methodical approach to prioritizing work and meeting deadlines in a production environment that can be high-paced and occasionally stop-and-go
A proactive mindset: you surface issues early, ask questions when requirements are unclear, and raise concerns when something in the build does not match the documentation
Familiarity with proper lab and/or cleanroom safety and housekeeping practices, including ESD controls and maintaining clean, organized work areas
Experience working on assemblies with a BOM and understanding part numbers and revisions in a production setting
Preferred
Experience assembling flight hardware, high-reliability electronics, or other mission-critical systems at scale
Background in high-volume or high-throughput production where dozens of units are built and delivered on tight schedules
Experience using issue-tracking tools (e.g., Jira) and writing clear, informative tickets to capture build issues or nonconformances
Ability to read and interpret both mechanical and electrical drawings and translate them into practical assembly steps
Experience with light machine shop equipment (e.g., mill, lathe, band saw, chop saw) to support fixtures or simple mechanical components
Experience acting as a go-to assembler for a particular product or process area, helping train or mentor others on best-known methods
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