Quality Technician

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 Quality Technician at Planet, you will be responsible for implementing & supporting robust quality control that can be standardized and scaled for all systems at Planet. This position will require identifying and troubleshooting supplier & in-line quality failures for our cubesat program. It includes performing periodic inspections, reporting mechanical & electrical anomalies and providing hands-on support to troubleshoot failures. You will work in a cross-functional team with Design, Manufacturing & Test to improve Planet’s satellites performance & reduce production quality and issues in space.

This is a full-time position requiring you to work in our San Francisco HQ 5 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Perform inspections across all stages of production 
• Ensure equipment and test stations are calibrated periodically
• Define & maintain inspection guides
• Record & report quality anomalies & data to quality lead 
• Utilize DMAIC method to identify and eliminate quality issues as they relate to satellite level damage 
• Act as a point of contact for day-to-day queries about quality 
• Manage nonconforming material through the MRB process to ensure that nonconforming material is identified, appropriately dispositioned, tracked, and reported
• Work closely with production, process, and test team counterparts to support testing and validation of new processes in a live production environment
• Communicate and interface between manufacturing & test technician  to establish feedback loop for continuous improvement
• Identify improvement opportunities (gaps between manufacturing & quality) and work with Quality Lead and relevant teams to implement solutions

What You Bring:

• Ability to read & interpret mechanical drawings
• 2+ years experience in Quality focussed role
• Mechanical aptitude & troubleshooting skills  
• Mechanical inspection experience using basic and precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, drop gauges, etc.)
• Ability to understand & implement 5S and Lean Manufacturing
• Ability to read and interpret FMEAs, Quality Control Plans
• Knowledge of AQL, SCAR process
• Proficient using google docs and sheets

What Makes You Stand Out: 

• Experience writing inspection guides 
• Educational background in ME or IE
• ISO/AS 9002 experience
• Detail oriented & ability to communicate issues effectively. Passion for improving quality standards
• Demonstrated ability to implement Kaizen (continuous improvement processes) 

Application Deadline: July 24, 2025

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