Senior Mechanical Ground Support Equipment Engineer

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 cloudbased 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 Planets data to develop new technologies drive revenue power research and solve our worlds 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 peoplecentric 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:

At Planet we launch spacecrafts early and often. From technology demonstrators to operational constellations exceptional engineers are needed to design manufacture test and launch spacecrafts.

As a Senior Mechanical GSE engineer you will join a small team of dedicated engineers playing a key role in the advent of several platforms. Focused on the upbringing of our payloads and buses you will work closely with our qualification engineers and our electrooptics engineers in developing their Ground Support Equipment from design and analysis to assembly and test. You will also have opportunities to lead derisk activities related to environmental and mechanical stress. The ideal candidate has a technical understanding of mechanical and optical basic principles applied to aerospace is curious and creative and wants to be involved with hardware and problems solving. To be successful in this role the candidate should enjoy handson work thrive in ambiguity and be able to lead their own projects into completion. Coming from a fast paced aerospace environment having completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key teams will be a plus.

This is a fulltime position that will require you to be physically present at our headquarters in San Francisco CA 5 days a week. Occasional travel should be expected as part of testing and integration operations.

Impact Youll Own:

Design and validate test fixtures and Ground Support Equipment (GSE):

• Understand needs and requirements for satellite subsystems especially optical payloads.
• Create develop and test innovative mechanical solutions and testing methods.
• Use 3D CAD software to model test fixtures and GSE equipment. Run structural FEA. Populate 2D drawings GD&T compliant.
• Supervise and assist with procurement machining assembly and proofloading operations.
• Perform handson operations like GSE and instrumentation setup etc.

Implement continuous improvement and process development:

• Proactively improve current test set ups stations and procedures to increase the efficiency and reliability of testing operations.
• Own GSE design through its lifetime to support failures identification anomalies root causes investigations and drive issues to resolution.
• Assist in analyzing and reviewing data using numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results and ensure that the hardware operates as expected. Identify trends anomalies and areas for improvement.

Document and develop communication:

• Keep detailed notes of tests specimens and anomalies. Report test results providing recommendations for design modifications or improvements.
• Produce design documentation to communicate design intent usability operations and maintenance of new products to internal customers.
• Develop close communication and working relationships with Engineering and Manufacturing teams. Participate in or hold technical reviews program status meetings etc.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Comfortable tackling challenges beyond ones field of expertise or comfort zone.
• Keen on handson activities. Motivated to bring your projects all the way to assembly and test .
• Interest in prototyping rapid iteration and agile processes.
• Experience in working in a machine shop.
• Experience in environmental test qualification and environmental derisk activities running and managing test projects involving Instron vibration shakers thermal chambers TVAC chambers shock machine etc.
• Ability to develop and implement engineering solutions using Python R or MATLAB to automate calculations analyze data and simulate physical systems.
• Experience building and working with DAQs for test article command/control and data gathering; wellversed with the instrumentation usage and data consumption from accelerometers load cells and other DAQ sensors.

What You Bring:

• MSc in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Optomechanics Engineering or ElectroMechanics/Robotics Engineering.
• 6 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated creation of successful Ground Support Equipment (GSE) or related structural designs.
• Proven understanding of mechanical engineering first principles and practical application of theoretical methods. Ability to solve complex problems related to modeling analysis and verification.
• Familiarity with best practices for designing robust mechanical solutions as well as notions of designing for manufacturing using Solidworks CAD or equivalent. Proficiency in creating engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Proficiency in structural static stress analysis for multibody systems including modal analysis. Familiarity with FEA software like Solidworks Simulation Ansys or equivalent.
• Proven understanding of material properties force definitions boundary conditions mesh analysis and FEA verification techniques.
• Data analysis skills for evaluating system performance and identifying anomalies.
• Proficiency in developing test procedures as well as general manufacturing workflows.
• Interest in prototyping rapid iteration and agile processes. Knowledge of fabrication welding machining and assembly practices.
• Keen on handson activities. Motivated to bring your projects all the way to assembly and test.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Basic knowledge of optics optical instruments and interferometry with experience in designing tooling jigs fixtures and kinematic mounts for optical assemblies.
• Proficiency in dimensional and surface metrology methods particularly using optical instruments.
• Comfortable tackling challenges beyond ones field of expertise or comfort zone.
• Experience in working in a machine shop.
• Experience in environmental test qualification and environmental derisk activities running and managing test projects involving Instron vibration shakers thermal chambers TVAC chambers shock machine etc.
• Ability to develop and implement engineering solutions using Python R or MATLAB to automate calculations analyze data and simulate physical systems.
• Interest in training junior engineers and technicians.

Application Deadline: July 9 2025

EAR/ITAR Requirements:

This position requires access to exportcontrolled information and as such employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidates ability to access all applicable exportcontrolled 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 companywide days off
• 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Remotefriendly work environment
• 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 fulltime position at the commencement of employment is listed below. Additionally this role might be eligible for discretionary shortterm and longterm 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.

Why we care so much about Belonging.
Were 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. Thats why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belongingdreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you but youre thinking you might not have all the qualifications please... do apply! At Planet we are looking for wellrounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We dont just fill positions we aspire to fulfill peoples 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 youre 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 or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

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