Senior Software Engineer, Planet

• Advanced degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, physics or related technical field
• 8+ years of total relevant experience
• Software development experience in C++ and Python
• Experience maintaining peer-reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment
• Familiarity with orbital mechanics and space mission operations
• Ability to carry out first-principles analysis and operationalize MVP solutions
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills
• Familiarity with Docker, Jenkins, JIRA, and linux-based systems

Desirable

• As a Senior Software Engineer, you will work on a small team of dedicated engineers responsible for the Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for Planet’s fleet of satellites. The Flight Dynamics disciplines of this team include mission design, orbit determination, maneuver design and execution (with propulsion and differential-drag), and conjunction assessment & mitigation.
• Mission Planning is concerned with optimal scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet’s Dove, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations. This operations research problem has a direct impact on fulfilling the business needs for the world’s largest heterogenous constellation of Earth Observation satellites
• You will be responsible for architecting software, writing production-level code, and leading the development of constellation-level automation tools. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to mentor and establish the team’s software strategy
• Research, design and architect new software solutions for managing Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites
• Work on complex applied mathematics problems with aerospace engineers, and provide them with software mentorship
• Directly contribute to Planet's success by improving the operations of its existing fleets of satellites, alongside enabling future missions