Manufacturing Technician

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

About the Role:

As a Manufacturing Technician at Planet, you'll work directly on the flight hardware that goes to space, assembling imaging satellites with complex bills of materials. You will partner with technicians and engineers who care about quality, precision, and mission success. This role is well-suited for someone who is detail-oriented, methodical, and consistent in their approach to work, with a track record of reading and following instructions carefully, taking pride in clean and organized workmanship, and communicating early when more context or clarification is needed.

You'll work in a lab and cleanroom environment where production can move quickly, timelines constantly shift based on launch schedules and program priorities, and the quality you bring to each build directly supports Planet's mission to deliver reliable data from space.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco office 5 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Perform electro-mechanical assembly and integration of production and prototype satellite systems, following work instructions and drawings.
• Assemble a wide range of hardware (e.g., fasteners, harnesses, brackets, subassemblies), using calibrated tools and fixtures to achieve consistent, repeatable results.
• Handle and install sensitive components with care, including cleaning parts, epoxy application, torquing fasteners, and routing cables to defined standards.
• Support test technicians and engineers by setting up satellites and subassemblies on test fixtures, making required mechanical and electrical connections, and assisting with debug activities.
• Communicate via Slack, Jira, and other team tools to keep engineers and stakeholders informed of build status, issues, and risks.
• Help debug failed units by performing careful rework and providing clear feedback about what you observe on the hardware and in the data.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and FOD-free workspace, including proper housekeeping, tool control, and ESD-safe handling where required, and consistently follow lab and cleanroom gowning protocols (lab coat, hair net, gloves, booties, ESD straps).
• Contribute to the development and refinement of work instructions and build documentation by flagging unclear steps, mis-matched parts, or frequent sources of error.
• Cross-train across multiple assembly areas and product lines to support shifting priorities and keep production moving.
• Work with our in-house software to track each stage of the build, stay organized and up to date, upload photos, and follow step-by-step guides.

What You Bring:

• 4+ years of hands-on technician experience in production, manufacturing, aerospace, or other precision hardware environments, with experience building multiple units rather than only one-off prototypes.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Experience in high-paced production is strongly preferred over purely R&D or prototype-only work.
• Ability to follow detailed build procedures and work instructions from start to finish, with a strong track record of completing work accurately.
• Solid hands-on skills with small components and delicate hardware, such as torquing fasteners, cable and harness routing, connector assembly and crimping, adhesive/epoxy work, and lifting and moving sensitive parts.
• Proficient communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with technicians, engineers, and leads on the production floor.
• Solid organizational and problem-solving skills, with a steady, methodical approach to prioritizing work and meeting deadlines in a production environment that can be high-paced and occasionally stop-and-go.
• A proactive mindset: you surface issues early, ask questions when requirements are unclear, and raise concerns when something in the build does not match the documentation.
• Familiarity with…