Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer
Planet Labs - San Francisco, CA
posted 1 day ago
About the position
Planet Labs is seeking an exceptional propulsion engineer to support a variety of design, integration, and environmental testing activities at component, subsystems, and system levels. The role involves operating various testing equipment, including a random vibration table, shock table, thermal air, and thermal vacuum systems. The engineer will be responsible for the integration and testing of propulsion systems that involve thrusters and Power Processing Units (PPUs) with the current satellite constellation. This position requires managing propulsion system vendors and ensuring the successful completion of deliverables. The engineer will lead environmental testing of propulsion system components, including high vacuum condition lifetime tests and vibration testing, and will evaluate propulsion system performance for flight qualification. The role also includes in-house production and testing of components such as pressure feed systems and thruster components. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in San Francisco, requiring at least three days of in-office work per week.
Responsibilities
- Support the Acceptance, Testing and Integration (AI&T) line of Planet Next satellite constellation
- Coordinate and lead the execution of environmental test campaigns for propulsion system
- Participate in the planning and coordination of test campaigns
- Conduct qualification testing of propulsion system
- Provide functional and environmental testing support for HETs and PPUs
- Develop test fixtures and requirements for the propulsion system
- Maintain the Environmental Lab
- Design and test equipment and infrastructure for the transportation of spacecraft and subsystems
- Implement 5s methodology in the qualification lab and model shop
- Design, assemble, and test tools and equipment required to support spacecraft launch integration
- Support Launch Integration
Requirements
- Ability to work at the San Francisco HQ 3+ days/week
- 4+ years of relevant work experience
- Experience working with test equipment such as Thermal air chamber, TVAC chambers, power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes
- HET assembly and testing experience in high vacuum operating environment
- Experience with operation of electric propulsion thrusters such as HETs
- Ability to juggle multiple tasks and make quality decisions without negative impact on others
- Experience working with cross-functional teams to achieve desired results
- Experience with Engineering Documentation Control, G-Suite, Jira
- Experience resolving routine issues and escalating other issues in a timely manner
- Superior attention to detail and passion for quality
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with propulsion system components
- Open to travel within the United States and outside of the United States
Nice-to-haves
- Proficiency in using Solidworks CAD
Benefits
- 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
- Remote-friendly work environment
- 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
