Lead Cost Analyst​/Cost Engineering Manager

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 worldwide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

Planet is currently seeking a Lead Cost Analyst/Cost Engineering Manager to join our team in San Francisco, CA. Join our high‑impact Supply Chain organization and serve as a crucial link between our engineering, manufacturing, and financial planning teams. This role demands a unique blend of financial expertise and technical acumen to drive product profitability from initial concept through mass production. You will be the primary owner of our product and project costing models, responsible for ensuring financial discipline, supporting key investment decisions, and ultimately, improving our unit economics.

If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment and enjoy translating complex technical plans into clear financial outcomes, this is the role for you.

This is a full‑time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office at least 3 days per week.

Lead Cost Estimation & Modeling:

• Review project plans and specifications to develop accurate and reliable cost estimates for key projects.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to model product and production costs across development stages (e.g., Bill of Materials (BOM), tooling, labor, overhead).
• Translate engineering and production plans into financially rigorous build and ramp scenarios, identifying financial risks and reallocation opportunities.

Cost Control & Financial Strategy:

• Collaborate with program managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure the effective execution of cost control measures throughout the lifecycle of projects.
• Drive marginal cost analysis and margin forecasts for new and existing products.
• Drive cost‑down roadmaps in collaboration with Design, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing, identifying levers to improve unit economics.

Strategic Financial Support & Analysis:

• Support cross‑functional trade‑off decisions—such as make vs. buy, tooling investments, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) options—with clear financial impact analysis.
• Perform ad hoc analysis as requested to support various leadership initiatives and strategic decisions.

Planning & Reporting:

• Own the forecast and budget cycles for manufacturing and engineering spend areas, ensuring transparency and accountability across teams.
• Build financial dashboards and tooling to improve visibility into BOM drivers, absorption trends, and program‑level cost performance.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of experience in a cost engineering, financial analysis, or program finance role, preferably supporting an Aerospace hardware, manufacturing, or consumer electronics environment.
• Solid foundational understanding of manufacturing processes, product lifecycle management (PLM), and cost accounting principles (e.g., standard costing, variance analysis).
• Exceptional analytical and financial modeling skills, with expertise in building complex, multi‑variable cost…