Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer

About the Role:

The New Product Introduction (NPI) Team is responsible for developing and scaling the assembly, integration, and test operations for our next generation of satellites. This includes establishing high-precision manufacturing processes for complex optical telescope payloads.

As a critical member of the NPI team, the Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer will be the technical leader responsible for translating the optical telescope design from the development phase to a sustainable, high-yield production environment. You will collaborate closely with design engineers, test engineers, and other cross-functional teams to establish the overall optical manufacturing processes and work instructions, from component assembly through final spacecraft integration. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy hands-on work in building and testing complex, high-precision optical products and take a methodical approach to pioneering and scaling manufacturing operations.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco HQ 5 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Support the Assembly, Integration, and Test of optical telescope payloads
• Develop/document optical telescope assembly procedures and work instructions including precise metrology, warm and cold alignment, and performance testing of telescopes and imaging systems
• Design, develop, and implement mechanical and electrical tooling, fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for optical telescope assembly and test in a cleanroom
• Perform analysis of measured data for alignment, calibration, and characterization of imaging systems, and monitor production metrics
• Drive timely resolution of non-conformances (NCRs), identify root causes, and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement processes
• Provide critical Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) feedback to the optical and mechanical design teams
• Provide technical oversight for external vendors and suppliers involved in optical component manufacturing and assembly
• Participate in the training of optical production technicians to transition the manufacturing line from R&D to production
• Recommend facilities and capital equipment improvements to scale manufacturing processes

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 6+ years of total relevant experience, of which 3+ years directly in the assembly, integration, alignment, and test of complex optical instruments, telescopes, or space-based imaging payloads
• Hands-on experience with complex optomechanical assembly, alignment, integration, and bonding in a cleanroom environment
• Experience leveraging technical software for design and analysis (e.g., Zemax, MATLAB, Python, and/or C/C++)
• Expertise in reading technical drawings and using SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software to develop tooling and fixtures
• Experience defining and implementing manufacturing processes in a production environment, including New Product Introduction (NPI)
• Solid interpersonal skills and a collaborative, hands-on attitude for effectively working with cross-functional teams
• Excellent attention to detail and technical writing skills for creating detailed and accurate procedures, test plans, and data summaries

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience with visible, multispectral, or hyperspectral imaging systems
• Experience implementing successful continuous improvement methodologies
• Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software
• Experience across the space flight program lifecycle (design through flight operations)
• Additional education or certifications in a relevant engineering or scientific field

Application Deadline:

June 1, 2026 at 11:59pm PT

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.