Flight Dynamics Engineer, Orbits R&D

Planet is seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer specializing in Orbits R&D for our San Francisco, CA headquarters, where you'll drive technical decisions for the world's premier satellite constellation. This full-time position requires three days per week on-site at our San Francisco office.

What This Role Involves

You will develop flight dynamics engineering and mission planning capabilities that optimize the performance of Planet's multi-platform satellite system, encompassing Dove, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager fleets. The position centers on applying orbital mechanics expertise to complex software systems—addressing trajectory optimization, state estimation, conjunction mitigation, and scheduling algorithms that directly affect constellation efficiency and business outcomes.

What You'll Do

• Design and build software systems addressing current and future mission design challenges across Planet's satellite portfolio.
• Evaluate constellation architectural trade-offs through rigorous first-principles orbital analysis to guide fleet evolution.
• Develop and operationalize automation for maneuver planning, collision assessment, and imaging schedule optimization across multiple satellite types.
• Collaborate with flight operations, ground systems, and constellation management teams to enhance existing fleet effectiveness and unlock new mission capabilities.
• Conduct detailed analytical studies on contact windows and imaging sequencing to maximize operational value.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, or related technical field
• Two to three years of professional experience in aerospace, space systems, or comparable technical domain
• Working knowledge of orbital dynamics and space mission operations
• Hands-on experience with C++ and Python development
• Capability to ground analysis in physical first principles and implement working prototypes rapidly
• Excellent technical communication in both written and verbal formats

Preferred background includes:

• Exposure to satellite constellation design trade studies
• Experience building or enhancing propagation software, uncertainty characterization, low-energy trajectory design, automated maneuver sequencing, or constellation resource optimization systems
• History with professional software practices including code review, test automation, and deployment pipelines

About Planet

Planet fields the world's most capable satellite constellation for daily Earth observation, serving commercial, environmental, and humanitarian organizations globally. As both a space hardware innovator and data technology company, Planet integrates satellite design, manufacturing, data collection, and cloud analytics into one unified system. With operations centered in San Francisco and additional offices across Washington DC and Europe, Planet empowers customers and researchers to leverage space-based intelligence for technology development, revenue creation, and solutions to global challenges.

Applying for This Role

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