Flight Dynamics Engineer, Orbits R&D

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 cloud-based 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 Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s 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 people‑centric 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.

As a Flight Dynamics Engineer, you will work on a small team of dedicated engineers responsible for the Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for Planet’s fleet of satellites. The Flight Dynamics disciplines of this team include mission design, orbit determination, maneuver design and execution (with propulsion and differential-drag), and conjunction assessment & mitigation. Mission Planning is concerned with optimal scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet’s Dove, Sky Sat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations.

This operations research problem has a direct impact on fulfilling the business needs for the world’s largest heterogeneous constellation of Earth Observation satellites. Your role will involve developing and automating tools to assess market design trade‑offs that will define the future of Planet's constellations.

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

• Research, design, and architect new software solutions for managing Mission Design needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites.
• Work on complex optimization problems with your knowledge of flight dynamics and software engineering.
• Develop and automate tools to assess mission design trade-offs that will define the future of Planet's constellations.
• Collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and ground software teams to improve the operations of existing fleets and enable future missions.
• Perform first‑principles analysis to optimize scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet's diverse satellite constellations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, physics or related technical field
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience
• Experience in orbital mechanics and space mission operations
• Software development experience in C++ and Python
• Ability to carry out first‑principles analysis and operationalize MVP solutions
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills

• Experience with constellation and mission design trade studies
• • Experience implementing one or more of the following:
  • Orbit determination and high‑fidelity propagation
  • Covariance realism
  • Experience maintaining peer‑reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment

October 6, 2026 at 11:59p PT

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.

• 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…