Senior Spacecraft Qualification Engineer
Planet Labs · Berlin, Germany · 3mo ago
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:
At Planet, we launch spacecraft early and often. From technology demonstrators to operational constellations, exceptional engineers are needed to design, manufacture, test and launch spacecraft. This role offers a unique opportunity for an engineer to take ownership of environmental testing activities supporting spacecraft production and delivery.
As a Senior Spacecraft Qualification Engineer, you will serve as the primary mechanical and environmental test engineering authority at our Berlin manufacturing site. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who enjoys hands-on work and thrives in ambiguity, with deep technical expertise, quick engineering judgment, and the ability to independently assess and resolve complex test situations while ensuring the safety of personnel and flight hardware. Coming from a dynamic aerospace environment, having completed challenging environmental test campaigns while collaborating effectively with R&D, systems, and manufacturing teams will be a solid advantage.
This is a full-time, in-office position based in our Berlin office 5 days per week. Occasional travel should be expected as part of testing and integration operations.
Impact You’ll Own:
Own environmental test execution and respond to off-nominal events:
- Review environmental test requirements, procedures, and readiness packages for spacecraft acceptance and protoflight campaigns.
- Serve as the primary technical authority during test operations including vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and thermal vacuum test operations.
- Perform hands-on operations including instrumentation setup, inspections, test monitoring, and hardware troubleshooting.
- Assess test data in real time to identify failures, anomalies, or unexpected hardware responses.
- Develop and implement technically sound recovery plans while preserving personnel safety, facility safety, and hardware integrity.
Ensure test readiness and facility capability:
- Validate test configurations, instrumentation plans, facility readiness, and hardware constraints prior to test execution.
- Coordinate with technicians and cross-functional teams to ensure safe and efficient execution of environmental test campaigns.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Supervise and assist with procurement, machining, assembly and proofloading operations of test fixtures and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
Drive measurement and test data analysis:
- Configure and validate data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and test monitoring tools.
- Analyze environmental test data to evaluate hardware performance, determine compliance, identify anomalies, and recommend next steps.
Implement continuous improvement and process development:
- Improve environmental test processes, procedures, facility capabilities, and operational efficiency and reliability.
- Develop practical solutions to recurring technical challenges and contribute to long-term reliability of environmental test operations.
Document and develop communication:
- Generate clear test reports, anomaly investigations, and engineering recommendations based on environmental test results.
- Provide technical guidance to technicians and advise spacecraft, systems, manufacturing, and quality teams on environmental test matters.
- Develop close communication and working relationships with Engineering and Manufacturing teams. Participate in technical reviews, program status meetings, etc.
What You Bring:
- 6+ years of relevant work experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Thermal Engineering or Electro-Mechanics/Robotics Engineering.
- Experience owning vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and thermal vacuum test campaigns for flight or flight-like hardware.
- Understanding of environmental verification methodologies, acceptance and protoflight testing industry standards, and flight hardware handling.
- Knowledge of spacecraft systems and the interactions between structures, mechanisms, avionics, payloads, and thermal systems.
- Knowledge of structural dynamics and vibration theory (resonance and modal behavior, wave propagation, random vibration, boundary control, etc.).
- Knowledge of heat transfer principles and thermal management technology.
- Ability to evaluate test data, identify anomalies, assess risk, make sound engineering decisions during off-nominal situations, and develop recovery plans for flight hardware.
- Proficiency in using Solidworks CAD & FEA (simulation) or equivalent.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing competing priorities and tight schedules.
- Ability to lead a team of technicians and work closely with international engineers in a collaborative environment.
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Hands-on experience (portfolio submission encouraged).
- Experience in operating a variety of test machines as vibration shakers, thermal chambers, TVAC chambers, shock machine, as well as working with test equipment such as power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes.
- Experience building and working with DAQs for test article command/control and data gathering; well-versed with the instrumentation, usage, and data consumption from accelerometers, load cells and other DAQ sensors.
- Interest in prototyping, rapid iteration and agile processes. Experience in working in a machine shop.
- Interest in automation. Familiarity with Raspberry Pis, Node Red, or Python.
Application Deadline:
11:45p / 23:45 CET on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.
Export Control Requirements:
Planet Labs Germany GmbH is authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information at Planet under an export license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security. This position requires access to U.S. and German/EU 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 German, EU, or U.S. authorities.
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
- Employee Wellness Program
- Home Office Reimbursement
- Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
- Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
- Equity
- Volunteering Paid Time Off
Compensation:
The expected starting gross salary range for this role is listed below. Individual placement within this range is determined objectively based on gender-neutral criteria such as your skills, qualifications, and professional experience. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or equity.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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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AI in Our Interviewing Process: Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.
Candidate AI Policy: Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact accommodations@planet.com with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.