Manufacturing Technician - San Francisco - Planet Labs PBC

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:

As a Manufacturing Technician at Planet, you'll work directly on the flight hardware that goes to space, assembling imaging satellites with complex bills of materials. You will partner with technicians and engineers who care about quality, precision, and mission success. This role is well-suited for someone who is detail-oriented, methodical, and consistent in their approach to work, with a track record of reading and following instructions carefully, taking pride in clean and organized workmanship, and communicating early when more context or clarification is needed. You'll work in a lab and cleanroom environment where production can move quickly, timelines constantly shift based on launch schedules and program priorities, and the quality you bring to each build directly supports Planet's mission to deliver reliable data from space.

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

Impact You'll Own:

• Perform electro-mechanical assembly and integration of production and prototype satellite systems, following work instructions and drawings.
• Assemble a wide range of hardware (e.g., fasteners, harnesses, brackets, subassemblies), using calibrated tools and fixtures to achieve consistent, repeatable results.
• Handle and install sensitive components with care, including cleaning parts, epoxy application, torquing fasteners, and routing cables to defined standards.
• Support test technicians and engineers by setting up satellites and subassemblies on test fixtures, making required mechanical and electrical connections, and assisting with debug activities.
• Communicate via Slack, Jira, and other team tools to keep engineers and stakeholders informed of build status, issues, and risks.
• Help debug failed units by performing careful rework and providing clear feedback about what you observe on the hardware and in the data.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and FOD-free workspace, including proper housekeeping, tool control, and ESD-safe handling where required, and consistently follow lab and cleanroom gowning protocols (lab coat, hair net, gloves, booties, ESD straps).
• Contribute to the development and refinement of work instructions and build documentation by flagging unclear steps, mis-matched parts, or frequent sources of error.
• Cross-train across multiple assembly areas and product lines to support shifting priorities and keep production moving.
• Work with our in-house software to track each stage of the build, stay organized and up to date, upload photos, and follow step-by-step guides.

What You Bring:

• 4+ years of hands-on technician experience in production, manufacturing, aerospace, or other precision hardware environments, with experience building multiple units rather than only one-off prototypes.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Experience in high-paced production is strongly preferred over purely R&D or prototype-only work.
• Ability to follow detailed build procedures and work instructions from start to finish, with a strong track record of completing work accurately.
• Solid hands-on skills with small components and delicate hardware, such as torquing fasteners, cable and harness routing, connector assembly and crimping, adhesive/epoxy work, and lifting and moving sensitive parts.
• Proficient communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with technicians, engineers, and leads on the production floor.
• Solid organizational and problem-solving skills, with a steady, methodical approach to prioritizing work and meeting deadlines in a production environment that can be high-paced and occasionally stop-and-go.
• A proactive mindset: you surface issues early, ask questions when requirements are unclear, and raise concerns when something in the build does not match the documentation.
• Familiarity with proper lab and/or cleanroom safety and housekeeping practices, including ESD controls and maintaining clean, organized work areas.
• Experience working on assemblies with a BOM and understanding part numbers and revisions in a production setting.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience assembling flight hardware, high-reliability electronics, or other mission-critical systems at scale.
• Background in high-volume or high-throughput production where dozens of units are built and delivered on tight schedules.
• Experience using issue-tracking tools (e.g., Jira) and writing clear, informative tickets to capture build issues or nonconformances.
• Ability to read and interpret both mechanical and electrical drawings and translate them into practical assembly steps.
• Experience with light machine shop equipment (e.g., mill, lathe, band saw, chop saw) to support fixtures or simple mechanical components.
• Experience acting as a go-to assembler for a particular product or process area, helping train or mentor others on best-known methods.

Application Deadline:

March 16, 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.

San Francisco Salary Range $54.90—$68.61 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. 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 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.

Candidate AI Policy: Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools-e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.-is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.