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Engineering Program Manager

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:  

The Engineering Program Manager in the Engineering Operations (EngOps) organization at Planet must be a skilled organizer and an excellent cross-functional leader with multiple teams, both inside Planet and with external partners. A successful candidate will help set strategy, drive problem-solving efforts, eliminate roadblocks, execute on schedule, and be responsible for managing/communicating status and issues along the way.  

This is a full-time position based in our San Francisco Headquarters.

Impact You’ll Own:

  • Lead Planet’s satellite development program through planning and requirements baseline to critical design, and then through build, test and launch.
  • Efficient oversight of all program phases through completion with schedule, budget and resource ownership.
  • Coordinate schedules, budgets, priorities, and status with engineering, stakeholders and management.
  • Work directly with multiple engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure productivity and progress on multiple concurrent projects.
  • Develop tools and processes to measure and improve engineering productivity across Spacecraft Engineering.
  • Drive root cause problem solving, identify, and eliminate blocking issues.

What You Bring:

  • BA/BS in a technically relevant field or equivalent.
  • 4-6 years of total relevant experience
  • Solid knowledge of Agile development practices and tools (JIRA)
  • Experience in an Engineering Project Management role for the development of software and hardware systems in a cross-functional, cross-organizational context.
  • Familiarity with spacecraft technology in one or more of these functional areas: Spacecraft Test, Optics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Development, or RF Engineering
  • Ability to think critically and creatively.
  • Ability to be self-motivated with experience working independently.

What Makes You Stand Out:

  • Experience managing spacecraft hardware or software testing.
  • Proven ability to work on assignments that require data evaluation, recommendation development, and decision making.
  • Track record of shipping products.
  • Familiarity with platforms like JIRA, smartsheets, etc.

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. 

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.

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 listed below.  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.

San Francisco Salary Range

$128,400 - $160,500 USD

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 accommodations@planet.com 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.

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