Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history.

• The Electro-Optical Systems team at Planet is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer to help drive the design of payloads in Planet’s fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. Your mission will be to champion our payload design efforts, with a specific focus on opto-mechanical design and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned opto-mechanical designer who has led optical system engineering efforts across multiple programs from conceptual design through flight.
  
  As a member of the Electro-Optical Systems team within Planet’s Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet’s agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work hand-in-glove with optical engineering, structural analysis, thermal engineering, and reliability & qualification, as well as the rest of Planet’s leading-edge spacecraft design and manufacturing teams.
• This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco HQ 5 days per week.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years experience owning the development of opto-mechanical products from requirements through conceptual design, testing and manufacturing
• Experience designing for high-reliability space environments including launch survivability, vacuum conditions, on-orbit performance through thermal conditions (STOP)
• Experience in the design and fabrication of optical assemblies, incorporating components made from glass, carbon fiber, metals, ceramics, epoxies, as well as mechanisms and electrical elements
• Practical and direct engagement with hardware, from prototyping to production and testing phases
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a dynamic environment while driving projects to completion
• Good verbal and visual communication skills
• Expertise in optics / opto-mechanical manufacturing, metrology, alignment and calibration
• Ability to build out the manufacturing line for precision optical systems
• Experience with dynamic hardware builds, vibration and shock testing, telescope assembly, and optical performance testing
• Experience applying systems engineering principles to optimize optical payload integration, focusing on requirements management, trade-off analysis, and balancing system-level constraints such as cost, schedule, and performance
• Ability to drive manufacturers and DFM/DFA
• Proficiency in Solid Works, Zemax, Matlab, Visual Basic, Python and/or C/C++
• 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.
• 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 Linked In Learning
• Equity
• Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)