Technical 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:  

As a Technical Program Manager (TPM) at Planet, you will be the local technical expert for one of Planet’s top customers. You are a key communication interface who possess an excellent set of communication skills and technical credibility to ensure smooth and accurate customer engagement. Your attention to detail will enable the Program Management Team (PMT) to execute on time and manage risk for a large-scale, cross-functional effort centered on the Pelican satellite mission. You will work closely with the Constellation Services leadership team to develop and manage end to end program plans, interpret technical trades, and advise on customer communication strategies. This includes establishing and managing internal processes, project schedules, metrics, KPIs, identifying risks, and clearly communicating them to project stakeholders. You're equally at home explaining your team's analyses and recommendations to Constellation Services customers as you are discussing the technical trade-offs in product development with engineers.

This TPM hire will be a member of the Space Business Group which is responsible for incubating and executing commercial space missions. The group is chartered with realizing the success of the team’s portfolio of commercial space missions by orchestrating activities across Planet’s space, product, and commercial teams. You will be expected to act as a core member of the Program Management Team meeting program-specific customer requirements and implementing the overall Constellation Services strategy. 

As a key player in commercializing space missions, this role’s mandate is to deliver successful Constellation Service programs and opportunities in Japan. This position is successful by synthesizing customer context, requirements, and risks to navigate complexity and fill knowledge gaps for the rest of the team.

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Japan. You will be expected to work on-site with customers approximately 3 days per week.

Impact You’ll Own:

• Technical assessments that align customer requirements and needs with optimal solutions in a complex trade space
• Own the operationalization of the customer constellation of 10 Pelican satellites. Represent Planet in each satellite’s transition from launch through commissioning to nominal operations with a focus on maximizing the value of these systems for the customer over their 5-year lifetime.
• Requirement flowdown analysis to track verification and validation activities and ensure that deliverables meet spec
• Maintain a knowledge repository for Planet and the customer that balances regulatory, privacy, and transparency
• In partnership with the Mission Directors, orchestrate cross-functional efforts, support the delivery of contract deliverables, and act as a focal point for the PMT
• Collect imagery product and satellite performance concerns while developing action plans to address issues.
• Communicate vertically & horizontally across Planet to keep stakeholders informed of technical progress, priorities, risks, actions, and any changes to requirements or plans for both tactical and strategic issues
• Enable seamless collaboration with the current Planet Japan team by aligning multiple customer initiatives that may be inside and outside contract scope

What You Bring:

• 4+ years total of Technical Program Management, Systems Engineering, or Customer Success experience
• Fluent in reading and writing Japanese
• Working proficiency in English, the language of the company
• Strong project management and some systems engineering experience
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills paired with the ability to communicate findings and recommendations
• Experience with remote sensing, space systems, or imaging
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and working with multiple roles across the company or organization
• Eligible for US Export Control licenses such as ITAR and EAR

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience with the full project lifecycle: concept initiation through deployment/go to market
• Experience with space or aerospace programs
• Demonstrated self-starter who initiates efforts and augments existing programs with new ideas

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.

Application Deadline:

August 17, 2025 by 23:59 (11:59 PM) Pacific Time

Benefits While Working at Planet:

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

• Paid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off 
• Remote-friendly work environment 
• Employee Wellness Program 
• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Equity 
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

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.  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.

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