Planet · 3 hours ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Deployable Solar Arrays
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$144K/yr - $181K/yr
6+ years expPlanet Labs is a company that utilizes space technology to benefit life on Earth, operating the largest constellation of imaging satellites. They are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to drive the design of spacecraft subsystems for their Earth-imaging satellites, collaborating closely with various teams to ensure robust design and manufacturing processes.
AerospaceBig DataSoftwareAnalyticsGeospatialRemote Sensing
Responsibilities
Own the mechanical design on key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s satellite fleet
Drive documentation and presentation of new designs throughout design phases and reviews
Collaborate with structural analysis team to drive/perform analyses on key spacecraft subsystems to meet stiffness and strength requirements
Drive part/assembly tolerancing using geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and own release of drawing packages for part fabrication
Perform design and analysis responsibilities
Drive part/assembly design and fabrication at key subsystem vendors
Collaborate with manufacturing team to implement key spacecraft design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) features
Support interface control document (ICD) development and size and develop interfaces for your subsystems
Support test planning and qualification campaigns
Support debugging and root-causing on-orbit anomalies and production
Be hands on with flight and test hardware
Qualification
Required
6+ years experience owning products from requirements, through conceptual and detailed component design, and into test and manufacturing
2+ years specifically in deployable solar array design including: panel architecture and trades, mechanisms design, and prototype, qualification, and productionization of all hardware
Experience with design and fabrication of composites, photovoltaics, and metal components
Experience with high level architecture design, developing ICDs, managing requirements and budgets for a subassembly
Experience with dynamic hardware builds, test plan creation, and hardware validation
Advanced in computer-aided design (CAD) software and Product Lifecycle Management software
Solid experience using GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 to generate good quality, low cost parts
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
Ability to be self-motivated and responsible while working in a dynamic environment
Excellent verbal and visual communication skills
Preferred
2+ years of experience designing mechanisms, electromechanical components, or solar arrays
Experience designing products for low or mid volume serial production and have a good understanding of the tradeoffs between manufacturing methods for these volumes
Ability to drive manufacturers and DFM/DFA
Experience in optics/opto-mechanical hardware, mechanisms, structures, and/or electronics/RF packaging
Machine shop experience fabricating or modifying parts (CNC Mill/Router, Mill, Lathe, Laser Cutter, 3D printer)
Proficiency in Python, Matlab, and/or Visual Basic (VBA)
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