Spacecraft Propulsion 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 world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

About the Role:  

Here at Planet Labs, we launch spacecraft early and often. From Technology Demonstrations to operational constellations, we're designing, manufacturing and launching record-breaking numbers of spacecraft. An exceptional propulsion engineer is needed for supporting a variety of design, integration and environmental testing activities at component, subsystems and system level. This includes operating a random vibration table, shock table, thermal air as well as Thermal and Vacuum You will be building, improving and running procedures to build both ground support equipment and Flight hardware. You will be responsible for the integration and testing of propulsion systems that involve thrusters and PPU with the current satellite constellation. You will be accountable for the successful completion of the deliverables and for the management of the propulsion system vendors. Your responsibilities will include the testing and implementation of a variety of modifications to the propulsion system components to varying degrees of customization. You will be responsible for the management of various vendors and the selection of the most suitable ones in accordance with the company's needs. You will be leading the environment testing of all components of the propulsion system for optimal operation. The environment testing will involve operation of thrusters at high vacuum condition lifetime tests and vibration …