Technical Program Manager

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.

About the Role:  

The Technical Program Manager (TPM) will oversee the High Resolution Imagery Program as an integrated end-to-end process across the entire Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) workflow, ensuring seamless operation and alignment with strategic business objectives.

Impact You’ll Own:

• Partner with diverse cross-functional teams to deliver comprehensive programs addressing complex technical and business challenges.
• Manage program dependencies effectively, ensuring robust communication across teams and leadership.
• Influence decision-making processes with executives through data-driven analysis and strategic insights.
• Implement and refine processes that underscore the agile aerospace approach, promoting efficiency and adaptability within project teams.
• Drive the achievement of technical and business objectives through diligent risk management, quality assurance, and performance optimization.

What You Bring:

The TPM will bring experience necessary to work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Managers, Mission Operations Teams, and Mission Directors to lead the following efforts:

• Program Planning: Oversee the High Resolution Imagery Program, ensuring each element aligns with overarching business & product goals.
• Integrated Program Schedule: Manage and coordinate program milestones and dependencies across various business initiatives, Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and product roadmaps to ensure timely and efficient program execution.
• Release Management: Supervise the program's release processes, including scheduling, criteria establishment, and readiness reviews to enhance visibility and ensure alignment with release goals.
• Resource Management: Collaborate with various teams to assess and address resource capacity, removing bottlenecks and reprioritizing tasks as necessary to maintain workflow efficiency.
• Operational Performance: Monitor operational systems against established Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Service Level Objectives (SLOs), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to guarantee quality and timely delivery.
• Transition to Operations: Develop cross-functional plans for significant operational changes, aligning teams and mitigating risks to ensure smooth transitions and continued operational excellence.
• Strategy Development: Create and implement an operations-based strategy that informs and enhances the Product Roadmap, focusing on operations improvement initiatives to drive business growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work across the TCPED workflow, integrating people, processes, and systems to address and manage dependencies effectively within the business context.
• Risk and Issue Management: Proactively identify and manage risks that could impact the program, ensuring issues are addressed promptly to minimize impact on project outcomes.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• A technical Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of 5 years in program management within technology and aerospace sectors, demonstrating a capacity to lead complex projects with a strategic and analytical approach
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to craft a recommendation and advocate for its implementation
• Experience working within data visualization tools
• Experience in