Planet
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 Mechanical Engineering team at Planet is seeking a Structural Analyst to help drive the design of key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s fleet of Earth‑imaging satellites! Your mission will be to champion our spacecraft analysis efforts, from the subsystem level, all the way up to the top‑level spacecraft. The ideal candidate will be an early career Structural Analyst who has experience performing structural analysis using a combination of finite element analysis and classical hand calculations. As a member of the Mechanical Engineering team within Planet’s Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet’s agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work closely with the Planet Mechanical Engineering Team, Qualification Team, Electro‑Optical Team, and Manufacturing as well as the rest of Planet’s leading‑edge spacecraft design teams.
This is a full‑time, in‑office position based in our San Francisco office 5 days per week.
Impact You’ll Own
Own the structural analysis effort on key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s satellite fleet
Drive documentation and presentation of new designs, trade studies, and breakout models throughout design phases and reviews
Collaborate with design team to drive/perform analyses on key spacecraft subsystems to meet stiffness, strength, and performance requirements
Manage vendors to ensure components meet stringent survival and performance requirements
Support ICD development to generate survival environments and requirements for your subsystems
Drive test planning and qualification campaigns
Support debugging and root‑causing test for on‑orbit anomalies
Be hands‑on with flight and test hardware
Break hardware as part of our hardware‑in‑the‑loop design paradigm
Validation of models through testing and model correlation
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
4+ years of structural analysis experience (aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, etc.)
Experience with structural analysis methods including classical hand calculations and analysis of mechanical joints (bolted joints, bonded joints, etc.)
Experience using Finite Element Software/Solvers (NASTRAN preferred)
Proficiency generating high quality FEMs
Experience using computer‑aided design (CAD) software
Experience setting up models and analyzing components for static and modal analysis
Excellent understanding in strength of materials and common structural failure modes
Ability to be self‑motivated and responsible while working in a highly dynamic environment
Outstanding verbal and visual communication skills
What Makes You Stand Out
Masters degree in Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
4+ years of analyzing spacecraft, aircraft, and/or precision optical components
Experience in engineering clubs (Formula, Baja, cubesat, design build fly, etc.)
Experience in process improvement and task automation
Proficiency in Python, Matlab, and/or Visual Basic (VBA)
Proficiency with Femap, NASTRAN, and/or Hypermesh
Experience performing dynamic environments analysis (random/sine vibe)
Experience generating test specifications for dynamics environments (random/sine vibe)
Experience presenting analysis results in design reviews
Hands‑on experience in build and test environments (hardware assembly, instron testing, machine shop, vibration table, etc.)
Structural Thermo‑Optical Performance (STOP) analysis experience
Benefits While Working at Planet
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)
Compensation 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 Salary Range
$128,400 – $160,500 USD
Application Deadline:
February 3rd, 2026. 11:59pm PST
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.
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.
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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 worldwide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.
About the Role The Mechanical Engineering team at Planet is seeking a Structural Analyst to help drive the design of key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s fleet of Earth‑imaging satellites! Your mission will be to champion our spacecraft analysis efforts, from the subsystem level, all the way up to the top‑level spacecraft. The ideal candidate will be an early career Structural Analyst who has experience performing structural analysis using a combination of finite element analysis and classical hand calculations. As a member of the Mechanical Engineering team within Planet’s Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet’s agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work closely with the Planet Mechanical Engineering Team, Qualification Team, Electro‑Optical Team, and Manufacturing as well as the rest of Planet’s leading‑edge spacecraft design teams.
This is a full‑time, in‑office position based in our San Francisco office 5 days per week.
Impact You’ll Own
Own the structural analysis effort on key spacecraft subsystems across Planet’s satellite fleet
Drive documentation and presentation of new designs, trade studies, and breakout models throughout design phases and reviews
Collaborate with design team to drive/perform analyses on key spacecraft subsystems to meet stiffness, strength, and performance requirements
Manage vendors to ensure components meet stringent survival and performance requirements
Support ICD development to generate survival environments and requirements for your subsystems
Drive test planning and qualification campaigns
Support debugging and root‑causing test for on‑orbit anomalies
Be hands‑on with flight and test hardware
Break hardware as part of our hardware‑in‑the‑loop design paradigm
Validation of models through testing and model correlation
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
4+ years of structural analysis experience (aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, etc.)
Experience with structural analysis methods including classical hand calculations and analysis of mechanical joints (bolted joints, bonded joints, etc.)
Experience using Finite Element Software/Solvers (NASTRAN preferred)
Proficiency generating high quality FEMs
Experience using computer‑aided design (CAD) software
Experience setting up models and analyzing components for static and modal analysis
Excellent understanding in strength of materials and common structural failure modes
Ability to be self‑motivated and responsible while working in a highly dynamic environment
Outstanding verbal and visual communication skills
What Makes You Stand Out
Masters degree in Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science degree
4+ years of analyzing spacecraft, aircraft, and/or precision optical components
Experience in engineering clubs (Formula, Baja, cubesat, design build fly, etc.)
Experience in process improvement and task automation
Proficiency in Python, Matlab, and/or Visual Basic (VBA)
Proficiency with Femap, NASTRAN, and/or Hypermesh
Experience performing dynamic environments analysis (random/sine vibe)
Experience generating test specifications for dynamics environments (random/sine vibe)
Experience presenting analysis results in design reviews
Hands‑on experience in build and test environments (hardware assembly, instron testing, machine shop, vibration table, etc.)
Structural Thermo‑Optical Performance (STOP) analysis experience
Benefits While Working at Planet
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)
Compensation 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 Salary Range
$128,400 – $160,500 USD
Application Deadline:
February 3rd, 2026. 11:59pm PST
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.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr