Systems Automation & Qualification Engineer

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:

At Planet, we launch spacecrafts early and often. From technology demonstrators to operational constellations, exceptional engineers are needed to design, manufacture, test and launch spacecrafts. This role offers a unique opportunity for an engineer to work on optimizing spacecraft test execution, streamlining repetitive tasks, and making test systems simpler and more efficient to operate. The projects encompass a broad range of sub-systems, involving many engineering fields, with a primary focus on environmental testing automation as well as  design, hands-on, and operations opportunities.

As a Systems Automation & Qualification engineer, you will join a small team of dedicated engineers  playing a key role in the advent of several platforms. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, curious and creative, that has a technical understanding of space systems and wants to be involved with hardware and problems solving. To be successful in this role, the candidate should enjoy hands-on work and thrive in an environment where software meets hardware, where automation drives efficiency, and where every test contributes to the success of a space mission. Coming from a fast paced, aerospace environment, having completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key teams, will be a plus. 

This is a full-time position that will require you to be physically present at our headquarters in San Francisco, CA, 5 days a week. Occasional travel should be expected as part of testing and integration operations.

Impact You'll Own:

Automate mechanical test set-ups: 

• Automate the control of large environmental test systems (TVAC, vibration shakers, thermal chambers, etc.) to enable fully scripted test execution.
• Develop modular and reconfigurable automation systems, allowing test set-ups to be easily adapted to new objectives.
• Create scripts to run tests, automate repetitive actions, and simplify operations, freeing up engineering time for more complex challenges.
• Build a scalable network of interconnected test machines to enable centralized monitoring and control.
• Optimize test station data collection, storage, and visualization, providing engineers with real-time insights.

Design and validate test fixtures and benches:

• Use 3D CAD software to design test fixtures, GSE and modular set-ups. Populate 2D drawings. 
• Supervise and assist with procurement, machining, assembly and proofloading operations.
• Build new test equipment and hardware, integrating sensors, actuators, and control systems.

Conduct testing, drive measurement and test data analysis: 

• Conduct test campaigns, operating and maintaining test machines or stations, also ensuring systems are calibrated, efficient, and ready for testing.
• Configure data acquisition software and hardware. Perform hands-on operations like GSE and instrumentation setup, inspections, etc.
• Develop automated reporting systems to analyze test results and identify trends.
• Take ownership of equipment and processes to identify failures, anomalies, root causes, and drive issues to resolution, during and after the test.

Implement continuous improvement and process development:

• Proactively improve current test set ups, stations and procedures to increase the efficiency, robustness and reliability of testing operations. Streamline test workflows.
• Create, develop and test innovat