Job Description

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:
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 thru 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

Application Deadline: February 3rd, 2026. 11:59pm PST
EAR/ITAR Requirements:
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.
Benefits While Working at Planet:
These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

• 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)
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

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
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.
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 are currently exploring AI interviewing technologies 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.

Skills Required