Senior Software 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.

About the Role:  

As a Senior Software 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, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations. This operations research problem has a direct impact on fulfilling the business needs for the world’s largest heterogenous constellation of Earth Observation satellites. You will be responsible for architecting software, writing production-level code, and leading the development of constellation-level automation tools. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to mentor and establish the team’s software strategy. 

This is a full-time position, It can be located at our SF-Head Quarters or remote based in the United States or Canada.

Impact You’ll Own:

• 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

What You Bring:

• 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 

What Makes You Stand Out:

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

#LI-REMOTE

 

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*:

• 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 wor