Manufacturing Engineer

The New Product Introduction (NPI) Team develops and scales assembly, integration, and test operations for our next-generation satellites. Manufacturing technicians and engineers establish processes and work instructions for building and testing spacecraft from component level through final integration. As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will collaborate closely with design engineers, test engineers, and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution and delivery. Ideal candidates are methodical, hands-on, and thrive in building complex aerospace products.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in our SF office 5 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

Own the end-to-end execution of a satellite type, including completing guides, designing and improving tooling, and streamlining the build process

Drive nonconformances to resolution and establish actionable process improvements

Handle, coordinate, and document off-nominal build details to push the satellite forward in all special circumstances regarding build or schedule

Determine the build flow for new satellite designs

Work with the Manufacturing Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) team to scope and design tooling

Create Manufacturing Execution System (MES) scaffolding, structured Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOMs), and build non-flight Structural Qualification Models (SQMs)

Support the Assembly, Integration and Test of Satellites and subsystems

Recommend facilities and capital equipment improvements for scaling our manufacturing processes to meet our production demand

Provide DFM/DFA recommendations to design teams

Monitor production metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions

What You Bring:

4+ years of manufacturing development experience

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Experience building satellites or similarly complex optical and electromechanical assemblies in a cleanroom environment

Experience reading technical drawings

SolidWorks skills to develop tooling & fixturing interfacing with spacecraft and to extract views for work instructions

Hands-on experience with hardware assembly, integration, and test

Attention to detail and technical writing skills for documenting assembly and test processes

Ability to climb, and lift/push/pull equipment up to 50 pounds

What Makes You Stand Out:

Experience implementing successful continuous improvement processes

Experience with MES and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software

Application Deadline:

11:45p / 23:45 PT on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.

EAR/ITAR Requirements:

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.

Benefits While Working at Planet:

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 LinkedIn Learning

Equity

Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)

Volunteering Paid Time Off

Compensation:

The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is listed below. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short-term and long-term incentives (bonus and equity). The final salary range is determined by job related experience, skills and location. The range displays our typical hiring range for new hire salaries in US locations only. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

San Francisco Salary Range

$114,200—$142,700 USD

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance