Senior Camera Engineer

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 worldwide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

About the Role:

The Electro-Optical Systems team is looking for a Senior Camera Engineer to help us operate, optimize, and further develop the largest camera constellation ever deployed in space! We are responsible for system-level analysis, operations, simulations, and development for our earth observation payload. We are a small, agile team that works at the intersection of hardware, software, and product engineering teams in the Spacecraft group.

As a Senior Camera Engineer, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of our imaging systems, from design and development to testing and in-orbit operations. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize camera performance, ensuring the highest-quality imagery is captured by our earth observation payloads. This role involves conducting detailed system-level analysis, troubleshooting, and improving the performance of our existing camera systems, while also driving innovation for future payloads. You'll leverage your expertise in optics, imaging, and data processing to help us push the boundaries of space-based photography and contribute to our mission of global environmental monitoring.

This role will require you to be physically present at our headquarters in San Francisco, CA, 3+ days a week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Characterizing new sensors in terms of resolution and radiometry in the lab
• Leading camera assembly, integration and test (AI&T) efforts
• Developing lab and space-borne camera calibration automation methods
• Developing and validating camera performance and payload performance metrics
• Troubleshooting camera image quality issues and developing long-term mitigations and improvements
• Contributing to the design and modeling of new imaging systems and operating modes
• Collaborating with Satellite Operations, Imaging Pipeline, hardware (Optics/Electrical Engineering), and embedded software teams

What You Bring:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or relevant scientific/engineering field
• 10+ years working with imaging systems, optics, detectors, image quality, calibration, and noise characterization
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and an ability to collaborate effectively
• Excellent lab/instrumentation experience with ability to test, evaluate and automate camera and hardware development
• Expertise with image processing fundamentals and ability to perform trade studies of cameras, detectors, optics and image processing
• Experience taking the lead on challenging projects
• Experience with CI/CD and software automation best practices with Jenkins and Docker
• Experience with Linux sysadmin tools (bash scripting, network configuration) and DVCS, such as Git

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience with Agile methodologies to develop quality instrumentation
• Deep familiarity with camera vendors and standards
• Masters of Science and/or PhD in EE, CS, AA or relevant scientific/engineering field
• Experience in opto-mechanics, rapid iteration, consumer electronics, thermal, and/or simulation
• Experience in Solidworks, Zemax, Altium, Python, and/or C++
• Experience leveraging scientific MATLAB, and/or Verilog/System Verilog in a Linux/GCS/AWS environment to develop and automate novel imaging algorithm
• Experience with low-level programming and debugging for embedded development (C/C++) and/or RTL for FPGA platforms

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.

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 $162,600 - $203,200. 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.

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.

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 or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

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