Thermal 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 Planets data to develop new technologies drive revenue power research and solve our worlds 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 Thermal team at Planet is seeking a Thermal Engineer to help drive the thermal design analysis and testing of our spacecraft and their subsystems. As a thermal engineer you will foster the improvement of spacecraft thermal designs from inception and design efforts and subsystems to the entire spacecraft. The ideal candidate is passionate about Planets mission and thrives in a people-oriented environment. This role will appeal to candidates who are looking for opportunities to help Planet take their satellite designs and production to a new level by bringing new technology to our company. As a member of the Thermal Engineering team within Planets Space Systems division you will be a contributor and stakeholder in Planets agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design; you will work closely with the Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Qualification Mission Operations and Manufacturing teams as well as the rest of Planets leading-edge spacecraft design teams.

This is a full-time hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week.

Impact Youll Own :

• Own the thermal design on key spacecraft subsystems across Planets satellite fleet.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to derive requirements that drive the thermal design.
• Ensure that all components of our spacecraft are within their operational and survival temperature ranges throughout all phases of the mission.
• Collaborate with optical and mechanical engineers to ensure optical requirements are met.
• Drive part / assembly thermal analysis on key spacecraft subsystems to meet temperature requirements.
• Oversee quality of our space hardware as its being built.
• Develop sub-contracts and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for thermal hardware fabrication as needed.
• Support test planning and qualification campaigns by developing tests that validate the thermal performance of your designs.
• Support ICD development by ensuring the thermal interfaces are sufficiently well defined for mission success.
• Own thermal hardware configuration management and release to production.
• Collaborate with mission operation engineers to ensure proper mission design and flight operational and survival temperatures.
• Collaborate with the guidance navigation and control engineers to ensure proper mission design and thermal modeling inputs.

What You Bring :

What Makes You Stand Out :

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 candidates 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.

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

$101400 - $126800 USD

Why we care so much about Belonging.

Were 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. Thats why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belongingdreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you but youre 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 dont just fill positions we aspire to fulfill peoples 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 youre 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.

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 candidates 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 ones candidacy.

Key Skills

ASP.NET,Health Education,Fashion Designing,Fiber,Investigation

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 101400 - 126800