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About the Role
Planet seeks a Senior Camera Systems Engineer to serve as the primary system architect and technical lead for our next-generation satellite camera modules. This role bridges mission-level imaging goals and hardware implementation, orchestrating the end-to-end lifecycle of camera systems. Responsibilities include driving requirements flowdown, leading cross-functional trade studies, and managing technical relationships with external vendors.
Responsibilities
- Translate top-level remote sensing performance requirements into clear, verifiable specifications for the camera subsystem.
- Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external image sensor foundries and camera component vendors.
- Lead camera-level trade studies balancing image quality attributes against spacecraft constraints.
- Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for the camera module.
- Own the end-to-end verification matrix for the camera, including environmental qualification plans and calibration routines.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5+ years dedicated to systems engineering or technical leadership for complex digital cameras or electro-optical (EO) imaging systems.
- Track record of managing requirements traceability and flowdown across electrical, mechanical, and optical boundaries.
- Experience managing external vendors, foundries, or contract manufacturers for high-performance camera components or custom sensors.
- Deep understanding of CMOS image sensor architecture, radiometry, and camera performance budgets.
Skills
- Systems Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Optical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Physics
- Digital Cameras
- Electro-Optical (EO) Imaging Systems
- Requirements Traceability
- Vendor Management
- CMOS Image Sensor Architecture
- Radiometry
- Camera Performance Budgets
- LEO environment
- Radiation Mitigation
- Outgassing
- Vacuum-compatible design
- Aerospace Standards
- Hardware-level Image Processing
- High-speed serialization protocols
- Ground-station image calibration
Location
- San Francisco
Work Type
- Full-time
- Hybrid
Experience Level
- Senior
- 10+ years of engineering experience
- 5+ years dedicated to systems engineering or technical leadership
Education Level
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
Salary/Compensations
- $182,900—$228,600 USD
Benefits
- 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
- Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Home Office Reimbursement
- Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
- Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
- Equity
- Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
- Volunteering Paid Time Off
About the Company
- Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history, delivering an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a cloud-based platform.
- We are both a space company and data company.
- 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.
- 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.
Equal Opportunity
- 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.
- Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.