Senior Optical Engineer

Summary

Join Planet's Electro-Optical Systems team as a Senior Optical Engineer. You will contribute to the design, manufacturing, integration, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads for Earth observation missions. This role involves hands-on work with cutting-edge optical systems, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and external partners. You will coordinate optical manufacturing activities, perform testing and analysis, develop test software, and provide technical oversight. The position requires a hybrid on-site presence in San Francisco. Planet offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible time off, parental leave, remote work options, and more.

Requirements

• 6-8 years of total relevant experience, such as airborne or space-based imaging payloads, cameras, or telescopes
• 3+ years relevant experience in assembly, integration, alignment, and test of optical instruments, telescopes, and/or optics in fields such as defense, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, or related
• Experience leveraging scientific tools based in Zemax, MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++ to advance design maturity and analyze system performance
• Hands-on, can-do attitude, great interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate effectively
• First-hand experience working with external vendors, suppliers, and integrators
• Experience in recording detailed and accurate test descriptions and data summaries
• Experience in driving the definition and execution of Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
• Experience in manufacturing and production environments, including New Product Implementation (NPI)
• Practical experience troubleshooting and debugging complex systems
• Educational background in Optical Engineering or equivalent experience
• This position requires access to export-controlled technology, and as such, and in accordance to applicable law, employment is only open to US citizens, US nationals, lawful permanent residents of the US or persons admitted to the US as an asylee or refugee
• This position requires access to export controlled technology, and as such, employment will be contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access EAR and/or ITAR controlled technology pursuant to an export license approved by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, if required

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute key optical manufacturing activities, such as optical metrology and alignment activities for telescope and sensor integration and troubleshooting
• Understand and execute warm and cold alignment and performance testing of imaging spectrometers, telescopes, and end-to-end instruments
• Write test plans and perform analysis of measured data for alignment and calibration of imaging systems
• Develop and expand upon test software and electrical ground support equipment (GSE) for the characterization and automation of alignment and performance testing
• Coordinate and perform optomechanical manufacturing activities, such as bonding and fixturing
• Organize and participate in integration & test activities in cleanroom environments
• Lead the continued design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads
• Collaborate with external partners to transfer advanced imaging expertise into Planet to establish a vibrant and financially sustainable platform
• Provide technical oversight of external vendors

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multispectral or hyperspectral imaging systems
• Experience with space flight program lifecycle stages including design, assembly, integration and test, or flight operations of imaging or camera hardware
• Experience with collecting large amounts of data, data storage and data manipulation
• Experience collaborating in a technical manner across organizational and functional boundaries to deliver capability to users
• MS/PhD in EE, CS, AA or relevant scientific/engineering field

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Health Savings Account(HSA) with a company contribution
• Flexible Time Off in addition to holidays and company global days off
• Generous Parental Leave
• Remote friendly 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 Options
• Commuter Benefits
• Volunteering Benefits