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 the NPI Manufacturing Manager, you will be responsible for developing, leading and executing our assembly, integration and test processes for our next generation of satellites. You will apply your manufacturing engineering and leadership skills to establish the overall process and develop and implement the procedures and work instructions for assembling and testing subassemblies, modules and complete spacecraft. You will manage engineering and technician personnel, and work closely with design engineers, test engineers, engineering program management, and supply chain teams to execute and deliver spacecraft. This role will appeal to candidates who enjoy a methodical approach as well as guiding & mentoring others.
This role works full-time on-site in our San Francisco HQ.
Impact You’ll Own:
- Manage manufacturing engineering and technician staff
- Develop assembly, integration and test processes for PCBAs, subassemblies and full spacecraft
- Develop mechanical and electrical equipment and fixtures to aid with assembly, integration and testing
- Develop assembly procedures and work instructions
- Oversee facilities and capital equipment development for scaling our manufacturing processes to meet our production demand
- Develop production schedules in tight collaboration with Supply Chain
- Responsible for daily task planning and execution to ensure on-time assembly, testing and delivery of fully functioning satellites during the NPI phase of development
- Drive non-conformances to resolution and establish actionable process improvements
- Collaborate with design engineering to continuously improve Spacecraft Design for Manufacturability
- Transform the manufacturing line from R&D to production by developing processes to go from prototype to flight builds
- Develop, and execute a technology transfer process to the Sustaining Production Team
- Provide DFM / DFA recommendations to design teams. Ideally specific, CAD recommendations
What You Bring:
- Experience managing complex, interdisciplinary manufacturing processes
- 4+ years of manufacturing development experience
- 2+ years of management experience
- Excellent SolidWorks skills to develop tooling & fixturing to interface with spacecraft and to extract useful views for use in work instructions
- Experience with inventory management processes
- Experience building clear and effective schedules for production planning
- Organized approach to project management and task planning & tracking
- Hands-on experience with hardware assembly, integration, and test
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Ability to learn new engineering concepts quickly
- Experience implementing successful continuous improvement processes
- 3+ years of experience leading and mentoring others
EAR/ITAR Requirements:
This position requires access to export-controlled technology, and as such, and in accordance to applicable law, employment is only open to US citizens, US nationals, lawful permanent residents of the US or persons admitted to the US as an asylee or refugee.
Benefits While Working at Planet:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
- Health Savings Account(HSA) with a company contribution
- Flexible Time Off in addition to holidays and company global days off
- Generous Parental Leave
- Remote friendly work environment
- Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Home Office Reimbursement
- Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
- Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
- Equity Options
- Commuter Benefits
- Volunteering Benefits
Compensation:
The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is $182,900 - $228,600. 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.
This position requires access to export controlled technology, and as such, employment will be contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access EAR and/or ITAR controlled technology pursuant to an export license approved by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, if required.
Why we care so much about Belonging.
We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging, dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work with diversity, equity and inclusion. If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply! At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts. We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride.
EEO statement:
Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights.
Accommodations:
Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.
Privacy Policy: By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.
Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.
What We Do
You can’t fix what you can’t see. Planet believes in using space to help life on Earth. We design, build, and operate a constellation of earth-imaging satellites that deliver a dataset of geospatial imagery used to help solve the worlds most critical problems. Planet is passionate about building a community of diversity, belonging and inclusion.
Why Work With Us
Do you want to be a part of a mission-driven agile aerospace company? Planet’s team is an inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains, who control every component of hardware design, satellite manufacturing, image processing, and software engineering. We strive to put our team members first and foster empowering careers in space technology.