Remote
US
$165K–$217K
💻Engineering
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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.
Planet is developing the next generation of small satellite buses, featuring high-resolution optical imaging payloads, a space-based data center connected by optical inter-satellite links (OISLs), and high-speed RF/Microwave communication links. We continuously iterate on and develop small spacecraft communication systems—including board-level hardware, antennas, and ground station equipment—to achieve record data rates and link performance. Our system utilizes proprietary and industry-standard modems, transceivers across several bands, optical laser communication systems, and a worldwide network of ground stations.
We are seeking an experienced Satcom Modem Engineer to develop and mature our next-generation onboard satcom links, ground radios, and antenna systems, pushing the frontiers of satellite communications. You will architect, design, simulate, implement, and validate cutting-edge software-defined Satcom radios. Responsibilities include characterizing the SDR link performance of Planet’s next-generation S through Ka-band and optical terminals, selecting vendors, and managing subcontractors for Satcom solutions. You will facilitate and conduct rigorous testing on space and ground communication subsystems to ensure flight readiness. Success requires close collaboration with RF, EE, Flight SW, systems engineering, missions, and manufacturing teams.
The ideal candidate thrives in an agile, fast-paced environment and is comfortable with ambiguity.
October 30, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
Important: 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.
Important: These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.
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 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.
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.
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.
USD 162,600 - 203,200
Annually
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Mental Health Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Programs
Fitness Stipend
Equity / RSUs
Commuter Benefits
401(k) / Retirement Plan
401(k) Match
PTO / Vacation
Paid Holidays
Company Shutdown Days
Bereavement Leave
Home Office Stipend
Internet Stipend
Company Offsites / Retreats
Parental Leave
Learning & Development Budget
Mentorship Program
Defined Career Pathways
Volunteer Time Off
Employee Recognition Awards
Team Events & Social Budget
Employee Resource Groups
Planet's legal-entities page lists companies in nine countries: the United States, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Slovenia, and Austria. Its annual report says employees work across 29 countries, so staff sit well beyond those entity countries. Open postings name countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific, alongside the regional labels APAC, Europe, and LATAM. The Slovenian and Austrian entities arrived with the Sinergise Solutions acquisition, which is why Ljubljana and Graz show up as work locations. Eligibility is set posting by posting, so the individual job listing is the authority on where that role can be based.
On US roles, yes. Most US postings carry a published pay range, tiered by geography with labels such as San Francisco Salary Range, New York City + California Salary Range, and US National Salary Range. Postings outside the US carry no range at all. The posting boilerplate adds that "The final salary range is determined by job related experience, skills and location."
Two show up on every open posting regardless of working model, including the roles that require five days a week in an office: Home Office Reimbursement and Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement. Volunteering Paid Time Off and tuition reimbursement appear on nearly all of them. Planet participates in Pledge 1% and lets employees give up to 32 hours, or four days, per calendar year, one day per quarter. The most specific quantified benefit, 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave, appears only on the US postings, and Planet notes offerings are "dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy."
Equity is listed as a benefit on nearly every open posting, and Planet's published benefits copy says every employee receives equity. The vesting schedule reported consistently across Planet roles is four years with a one-year cliff, then monthly after that.
The largest open teams are Commercial and Space Systems, followed by Company Operations and Software Engineering. Hardware roles such as Manufacturing Engineer and Opto-Mechanical Engineer are onsite, which follows from Planet assembling its own satellites. The handful of postings with no office condition at all sit in sales and customer-facing functions in countries where Planet has no office, including South Korea and Latin America.
Two company-wide policies show up in its annual report. A flex-Friday policy gives every employee one extra Friday off almost every month, and a soft-closing policy runs at certain times of the year on top of vacation and public holidays. Well-being programming is built to reach people who are not in an office, including virtual meditation and yoga classes.
Pay Transparency
Flex Fridays
Charity Matching
