Engineering Program Manager

About the Role

The Engineering Program Manager (EPM) at Planet will be a fearless organizer and an excellent cross‑functional leader, working with multiple teams inside Planet, and with our external customers and manufacturing partners. A successful candidate will help set strategy, drive problem‑solving efforts, eliminate roadblocks, execute on schedule, and be responsible for managing and communicating status and issues along the way.

This is a full‑time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week. Travel to Europe is also expected.

• Lead satellite development programs from planning and requirements definition through critical design, build, test, and launch.
• Ensure efficient execution of all program phases, including MCR, SRR, PDR, CDR, IRR, SRR, and LRR.
• Develop project schedules and budgets and track performance across all project phases.
• Oversee execution of technical plans at all levels, both internally and with external suppliers, including project definition, budgeting, and long‑term strategic planning.
• Collaborate and coordinate with external stakeholders, including suppliers, partners, vendors, and customers, to manage deliverables, technical plans, and program milestones.
• Coordinate schedules, priorities, and status updates with engineering, manufacturing teams, stakeholders, and management.
• Work directly with multiple engineering teams and cross‑functional stakeholders to drive productivity and progress on concurrent projects.
• Develop tools and processes to measure and improve engineering productivity.
• Drive root cause problem‑solving, identify, and eliminate blocking issues.
• Work directly with Program Management, Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Compliance, Facilities teams to drive progress on concurrent manufacturing lines and initiatives.
• Lead manufacturing ramp programs from early factory engagement and readiness through key build phases into production.
• Drive root cause analysis for complex engineering and manufacturing issues, identify and eliminate blocking problems, and implement robust corrective actions.

• A BA/BS degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 6+ years of relevant experience of program management in aerospace, manufacturing or similar industry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and facilitation skills, including externally to customers.
• Experience in an engineering program management role for the development and ramp of hardware systems in a cross‑functional context.
• Ability to be self‑motivated and enthusiastic with creative and critical thinking capabilities.
• Experience working with and managing external contract manufacturers (CMs), suppliers, and vendors to drive program success.
• Ability to travel internationally, specifically to Europe.

• Experience with scaling systems on satellite manufacturing.
• Experience successfully delivering hardware products through the entire New Product Introduction (NPI) lifecycle.
• Excellent problem‑solving, organizational, and analytical skills, with the ability to drive strategy based on data.
• Professional fluency in Swedish or German.

The US base salary range for this full‑time position at the commencement of employment is $162,600 – $203,200 USD. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short‑term and long‑term incentives (bonus and equity).

• 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)
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

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.