Senior Software Engineer

Summary

Join Planet as a Senior Software Engineer and contribute to the Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for our fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. You will work on a small team, architecting software, writing production-level code, and developing constellation-level automation tools. This role involves solving complex applied mathematics problems, mentoring other engineers, and directly impacting Planet's operational success. The position is full-time and can be based in San Francisco or remotely in the US or Canada. You will research, design, and architect new software solutions, improving the operations of existing satellite fleets and enabling future missions. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a company with a people-centric approach and a mission to change the way people see the world.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, physics or related technical field
• 8+ years of total relevant experience
• Software development experience in C++ and Python
• Experience maintaining peer-reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment
• Familiarity with orbital mechanics and space mission operations
• Ability to carry out first-principles analysis and operationalize MVP solutions
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills

Responsibilities

• Research, design and architect new software solutions for managing Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites
• Work on complex applied mathematics problems with aerospace engineers, and provide them with software mentorship
• Directly contribute to Planet's success by improving the operations of its existing fleets of satellites, alongside enabling future missions
• Architect software
• Write production-level code
• Lead the development of constellation-level automation tools
• Mentor and establish the team’s software strategy

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Docker, Jenkins, JIRA, and linux-based systems
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Orbit determination and high-fidelity propagation
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Covariance realism
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Low-thrust mission design
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Operations research and solving large-scale optimization problems
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Maneuver automation
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Constellation management
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Microservice software architecture

Benefits

• 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
• 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
• Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
• Volunteering Paid Time Off