Planet · 2 weeks ago
Senior Optical Engineer
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$144K/yr - $181K/yr
6+ years expPlanet is a global company that designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites. They are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the design, manufacturing, integration, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads for Earth observation missions.
AerospaceAnalyticsBig DataGeospatialRemote SensingSoftware
Responsibilities
Coordinating and executing key optical manufacturing activities, such as optical metrology and alignment activities for telescope and sensor integration and troubleshooting
Understanding and executing warm and cold alignment and performance testing of imaging spectrometers, telescopes, and end-to-end instruments
Writing test plans and performing analysis of measured data for alignment and calibration of imaging systems
Developing and expanding upon test software and electrical ground support equipment (GSE) for the characterization and automation of alignment and performance testing
Coordinating and performing optomechanical manufacturing activities, such as bonding and fixturing
Organize and participate in integration & test activities in cleanroom environments
Leading the continued design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads
Collaborating with external partners to transfer advanced imaging expertise into Planet to establish a vibrant and financially sustainable platform
Providing technical oversight of external vendors
Qualification
Required
6-8 years of total relevant experience, such as airborne or space-based imaging payloads, cameras, or telescopes
3+ years relevant experience in assembly, integration, alignment, and test of optical instruments, telescopes, and/or optics in fields such as defense, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, or related
Experience leveraging scientific tools based in Zemax, MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++ to advance design maturity and analyze system performance
Hands-on, can-do attitude, great interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate effectively
First hand experience working with external vendors, suppliers, and integrators
Experience in recording detailed and accurate test descriptions and data summaries
Experience in driving the definition and execution of Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Experience in manufacturing and production environments, including New Product Implementation (NPI)
Practical experience troubleshooting and debugging complex systems
Educational background in Optical Engineering or equivalent experience
Preferred
Experience with visible, multispectral or hyperspectral imaging systems
Experience with space flight program lifecycle stages including design, assembly, integration and test, or flight operations of imaging or camera hardware
Experience with collecting large amounts of data, data storage and data manipulation
Experience collaborating in a technical manner across organizational and functional boundaries to deliver capability to users
MS/PhD in EE, CS, AA or relevant scientific/engineering field
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
Company
Planet
Planet is an aerospace and data analytics company that builds small satellites and delivers information about the changing planet.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Planet has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2022 (5)
2021 (12)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.03BKey Investors
BlackRockBloombergNEFPrelude Ventures
2025-09-09Post Ipo Debt· $460M
2021-12-08Post Ipo Equity· $200M
2021-12-08IPO
Leadership Team
Will Marshall
Co-Founder & CEO
Robbie Schingler
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Recent News
2025-12-12
2025-12-11
Company data provided by crunchbase