Senior Flight Software Engineer, Planet

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, CE, EE, or a related field; OR equivalent work experience
• 6 to 8 years of professional experience in developing C/C++ applications, preferably targeting both Linux- and RTOS-mediated runtimes (FreeRTOS, ChibiOS, Zephyr, RTEMS, QNX, VxWorks…)
• Familiarity with Python for use in data analysis, test development, and target characterization
• Expertise in software development for embedded systems, including experience with real-time schedulers, task prioritization, deterministic execution, and memory-constrained environments
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts and tradeoff spaces to a variety of stakeholders such as engineers, satellite operators, and engineering project managers
• Proven track record in leading complex projects and delivering impactful results in embedded software development
• Hands-on experience with hardware debugging tools such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers to troubleshoot and validate embedded systems
• Familiarity with IPv4, IPv6, and application-level network transport protocols
• Experience working with chip-to-chip protocols such as CAN, UART, SPI, and I2C
• Professional experience working under agile development using the Git version control system
• 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

Desirable

• Planet’s Flight Software Team is responsible for all of the embedded software that powers our diverse fleet of Superdove, Skysat, Pelican, and Tanager satellites
• The software we build and maintain deploys to orbiting spacecraft hundreds of kilometers away and spans many functional verticals, including navigation and avionics, payload control, radio software, and supporting tooling and infrastructure
• We collaborate closely with many other teams at Planet, including the Payload, EE, RF, Ground Software, and Missions teams, to deliver reliable and innovative solutions that ensure the success of Planet’s missions
• As a Senior Flight Software Engineer at Planet, you will drive the definition, development, maintenance, and optimization of this critical software
• In this role, you will solve a wide range of complex engineering challenges in a fast-paced environment
• You will define and implement new APIs, refine existing ones, and evaluate and select appropriate software technologies for given use cases
• You will lead complicated root cause analyses which may cross software components as well as hardware domains; at times the target you’re debugging will be hundreds of kilometers away with limited bandwidth and periodic windows for communication
• You will help decompose high-level functional requirements into actionable implementation roadmaps, and design robust and well-tested abstractions that ensure system scalability and maintainability
• You will help design and deploy critical infrastructure, ensuring it meets operational demands and scales effectively to support Planet’s evolving missions
• Architect, design, and implement robust, scalable, well-tested, and maintainable software solutions for embedded systems that meet strict performance and reliability requirements
• Finally, you will collaborate with operators and other key stakeholders to iteratively refine these systems, ensuring they meet today’s needs while advancing Planet’s broader mission to deliver insights that change how we see the world
• Lead root cause investigations and implement comprehensive fixes for complex defects across a range of targets and runtimes, including bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux-based application code
• Work with stakeholders to drive the development and optimization of system interfaces for satellite functionality, ensuring high performance and reliability
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including payload, EE, and ground control, to define and implement end-to-end solutions for satellite operations
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and methodologies to advance the capabilities of Planet’s embedded systems
• Provide technical leadership in planning and executing critical projects, balancing technical trade-offs, and aligning with organizational goals
• Collaborate closely with team members and other stakeholders to define specifications, develop component API’s, and write functional tests and documentation
• Mentor and guide more junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning within the team

• Application Deadline: July 7, 2025

• Comprehensive health plan
• Wellness program and massages
• Flexible time off
• Recognition programs
• Commuter benefits
• Learning and tuition reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Offsites and happy hours
• Volunteering benefits

Total funding: $434.4m

Planet’s high resolution, high frequency Earth-imaging satellites make daily changes in the earth more visible, allowing the company to provide quick turnaround geo-spatial data to its customers. The company was founded by a group of former NASA employees driven by a desire to make global change more actionable by rendering it more visible.