Job Application for Sr. Software Engineer, AI Research at Planet

New

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:

Planet's mission is to image the entire world every day, making global change visible, accessible, and actionable. We've successfully captured daily imagery of the Earth, and now we're taking the next bold step: making this incredibly rich dataset more accessible and actionable through the power of AI.

We are seeking a talented Senior Software Engineer with full stack experience and notable experience with frontend to join our AI Research team and contribute to our vision of creating a “Queryable Earth”. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in building a groundbreaking, web-based chat application—a "Queryable Earth"—that will democratize access to our vast satellite imagery and analytics. This isn't just about building a chat app; it's about enabling our users to get insights from our vast geospatial database through a natural language interface, and receive instant, AI-powered answers alongside compelling visual evidence.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to accelerate the shift in how geospatial data is consumed by end users. You will work with highly skilled Planeteers working on multi-disciplinary fields including satellites, space operations, image processing, data pipeline and analytics teams and work to co-develop AI/ML solutions for Planet’s geospatial imagery. If you're passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems, thrive in a collaborative environment, and are excited by the prospect of bringing Earth intelligence to the fingertips of a global audience, we want to hear from you!

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to be in our San Francisco, HQ 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

Lead Full Stack Web App Development: Take ownership of the user interface and user experience for our new AI-powered chat application, ensuring a highly intuitive, responsive, and visually engaging experience.
Build the "Queryable Earth" Chat App: Design, develop, and deploy the core web application, integrating seamlessly with our AI models and data infrastructure.
Collaborate with AI Researchers: Work closely with our AI Research Team to understand their models and outputs, translating complex analytical results into clear, actionable, and visually rich information for end-users.
Develop and Integrate Backend Services: Develop robust APIs and integrate the frontend with our scalable backend services, including image retrieval, geospatial analytics, and LLM orchestration.
Optimize for Performance: Ensure the application delivers fast, reliable performance, handling large datasets and a high volume of user queries efficiently.
Implement Best Practices: Advocate for and implement best practices in web development, including clean code, testing, security, and accessibility.
Contribute to Architectural Decisions: Participate in discussions and decisions regarding the overall architecture of the chat application and its integration with Planet's broader platform.

What You Bring:

6+ years of experience as a Full Stack Software Engineer, with a focus on modern frontend development (e.g., React, Vue, Angular, or similar frameworks).
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Statistics, or a closely related quantitative field.
Expertise in JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, and CSS.
Experience building and deploying robust, scalable web applications end to end including API development, cloud deployment, and scaled data processing workflows.
Familiarity with backend technologies (e.g., Python, Node.js, Go) and experience with RESTful APIs and database interactions.
Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and deploying applications in a cloud environment.
Excellent understanding of UI/UX principles and a keen eye for design and user experience.
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

What Makes You Stand Out:

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Statistics, or a closely related quantitative field.
Experience with geospatial data, mapping libraries (e.g., Leaflet, Mapbox GL JS), or satellite imagery.
Familiarity with data visualization libraries (e.g., D3.js, Plotly).
Prior experience working with AI/ML teams or integrating AI models into production applications, especially chat interfaces and agentic workflows

Application Deadline:

October 20, 2025 by 11:59 PM PDT

Benefits While Working at Planet:

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

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

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

$162,600 - $203,200 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. 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.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Planet? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Location (City)

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

LinkedIn Profile

Website

To make sure we are in the same solar system of expectations, what base salary are you targeting for the impact you will make? (Please provide in local currency)

How did you first hear about Planet before applying for this position?

Select...

If you selected 'Conference' or 'Event' for the previous question, we would love to hear which conference / event you connected with us at.

How did you find this position?

Select...

Why Planet?

Do you reside in or maintain an established permanent residence in any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or the following territories of Ukraine (Luhansk, Donetsk, Crimea)?

Select...

1. Conflict of Interest Questionnaire: Please select the statement below which best reflects your previous work experience: *

a. I am not and have never been a US Government employee (civilian or military).

b. I am a former US Government employee (civilian or military).

c. I have a family member who works for or is a former US Government agency employee (civilian or military) who has or may have decision making authority over Planet’s interactions with the US Government.

d. In the last five years, I have worked as a direct contractor or for another federal contractor on a prime contract where I interacted with the US Government.

e. I have a family member who works for a federal contractor to the US Government who interacts with the US Government directly and/or may have decision making authority over Planet’s interactions with the US Government.

If you answer (a.) to the above question, please select 'N/A' for questions 2-7.

*Note: A family member includes: spouses, parents, step-parents, legal guardians, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, children, step-children, siblings, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, grandparents, spouse’s grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and first cousins

2. Upon leaving your employment where you may have worked on U.S. Government or other similar governmental programs, did you receive any notifications of a “cooling off period,” any “prohibitions,” or an ethics memo?

Select...

3. During your employment where you may have worked on U.S. Government or other similar governmental programs, were you a part of any source selection or other acquisition planning efforts?

Select...

4. Did you have any supervisor or managerial responsibilities under your job responsibilities that may require a two year supervisory prohibition from making any influences, communications, or appearances with the United States Government for which you had the prior supervisory or managerial authority over?

Select...

5. Are there any federal or US Government matters that you were personally or substantially involved in?

Select...

6. If you were a former US Government employee, did you hold senior employee status?

Select...

7. Do you have anything you would consider non-public information about any US Government or federal programs?

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Planet’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Gender

Select...

Are you Hispanic/Latino?

Select...

Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Veteran Status

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status

Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Sr. Software Engineer, AI Research

Apply for this job

Voluntary Self-Identification

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability