Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p></div><p><strong>About the Role:</strong></p> <p>The New Product Introduction (NPI) Team is responsible for developing and scaling the assembly, integration, and test operations for our next generation of satellites. This includes establishing high-precision manufacturing processes for complex optical telescope payloads.</p> <p>As a critical member of the NPI team, the Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer will be the technical leader responsible for translating the optical telescope design from the development phase to a sustainable, high-yield production environment. You will collaborate closely with design engineers, test engineers, and other cross-functional teams to establish the overall optical manufacturing processes and work instructions, from component assembly through final spacecraft integration. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy hands-on work in building and testing complex, high-precision optical products and take a methodical approach to pioneering and scaling manufacturing operations.</p> <p>This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco HQ 5 days per week.</p> <p><strong>Impact You'll Own:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Support the Assembly, Integration, and Test of optical telescope payloads</li> <li>Develop/document optical telescope assembly procedures and work instructions including precise metrology, warm and cold alignment, and performance testing of telescopes and imaging systems</li> <li>Design, develop, and implement mechanical and electrical tooling, fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for optical telescope assembly and test in a cleanroom</li> <li>Perform analysis of measured data for alignment, calibration, and characterization of imaging systems, and monitor production metrics</li> <li>Drive timely resolution of non-conformances (NCRs), identify root causes, and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement processes</li> <li>Provide critical Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) feedback to the optical and mechanical design teams</li> <li>Provide technical oversight for external vendors and suppliers involved in optical component manufacturing and assembly</li> <li>Participate in the training of optical production technicians to transition the manufacturing line from RD to production</li> <li>Recommend facilities and capital equipment improvements to scale manufacturing processes</li> </ul> <p><strong>What You Bring:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field</li> <li>6+ years of total relevant experience, of which 3+ years directly in the assembly, integration, alignment, ... (truncated, view full listing at source)