{"id":1136796,"url":"https://alion.io/job/planet-senior-engineering-program-manager","title":"Senior Engineering Program Manager","company":{"id":626,"name":"Planet","domain":"planet.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/planet","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"is_intermediary":false,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":83,"open_postings":26,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.5,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":60,"computed_at":"2026-09-23T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Management","role_family":"Management","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Berlin, Germany"],"countries":["DE"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":86600,"max":108300,"currency":"EUR","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":123618},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"GDPR","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-23T07:56:29Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-23","last_verified_at":"2026-09-23T19:07:21Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.\nPlanet 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.\nCustomers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.\nAs 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.\nWe 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.\nPlanet 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.\nAbout the Role:\nAs a Senior Engineering Program Manager (EPM) at Planet you will sit at the intersection of our hardware, engineering, and external partnerships to drive complex spacecraft programs from inception to launch. You will help set strategy, drive problem-solving efforts, eliminate roadblocks, execute on schedule, and you will be responsible for managing and communicating status and issues along the way. The ideal candidate has deep technical expertise and experience in multiple areas of spacecraft design and manufacturing. \nThis is a full-time, in-office position based in our Berlin manufacturing hub 5 days per week.\nImpact You’ll Own:\nLead satellite development programs from planning and requirements definition through critical design, build, test, and launch.\nEnsure efficient execution of all program phases, including MCR, SRR, PDR, CDR, IRR, SRR, and LRR.\nDevelop project schedules and budgets and track performance across all project phases.\nOversee execution of technical plans at all levels, both internally and with external suppliers, including project definition, budgeting, and long-term strategic planning.\nCollaborate and coordinate with external stakeholders, including suppliers, partners, vendors, and customers, to manage deliverables, technical plans, and program milestones.\nCoordinate schedules, priorities, and status updates with engineering, manufacturing, teams, stakeholders, and management.\nWork directly with multiple engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders to drive productivity and progress on concurrent projects.\nDevelop tools and processes to measure and improve engineering productivity.\nDrive root cause problem-solving, identify, and eliminate blocking issues.\nWork directly with Program Management, Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain to drive progress on concurrent manufacturing lines and initiatives.\nLead manufacturing ramp programs from early factory engagement and readiness through key build phases into production.\nDrive root cause analysis for complex engineering and manufacturing issues, identify and eliminate blocking problems, and implement robust corrective actions.\nWhat You Bring:\n10+ years of relevant experience of program management in aerospace, manufacturing or similar industry.\nBachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.\nExcellent written and verbal communication and facilitation skills, including externally to customers.\nProficiency in spoken and written German and professional working proficiency in English, the language of the company.\nExperience in an engineering program management role for the development and ramp of hardware systems in a cross-functional context.\nCapability to exercise creative and critical thinking in project execution.\nExperience working with and managing external contract manufacturers (CMs), suppliers, and vendors to drive program success.\nExcellent written and verbal communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences.\nAbility to travel internationally, specifically to San Francisco about 2-3 times a year.\nWhat Makes You Stand Out:\nExperience with satellite manufacturing and AI&T.\nExperience with customer management on satellite programs.\nExcellent problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills, with the ability to drive strategy based on data.\nApplication Deadline:\n11:45p / 23:45 CET on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.\nExport Control Requirements:\nPlanet Labs Germany GmbH is authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information at Planet under an export license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security. This position requires access to U.S. and German/EU export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by German, EU, or U.S. authorities.\nBenefits While Working at Planet:\nThese offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.\nPaid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off \nEmployee Wellness Program \nHome Office Reimbursement\nMonthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement\nTuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning\nEquity \nVolunteering Paid Time Off\nCompensation:\nThe expected starting gross salary range for this role is listed below. Individual placement within this range is determined objectively based on gender-neutral criteria such as your skills, qualifications, and professional experience. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or equity.\nGermany Salary Range\n€86.600—€108.300 EUR\nSan Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance\n Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.\n\nWhy we care so much about Belonging. \n We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging-dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply! At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts. We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride. \nEEO statement:\n Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights.\nAccommodations: \n Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to  or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.\nPrivacy Policy: By clicking \"Apply Now\" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.\nPrivacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking \"Apply Now\" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.\nAI in Our Interviewing Process: Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a \"Planet AI Notetaker\" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.\nCandidate AI Policy: Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools-e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.-is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact  with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.","description_format":"text","description_chars":10347,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"German","level":"All levels","optional":false},{"language":"English","level":"Upper-Intermediate (B2)","optional":false}]},"benefits":["Equity","Home office","Internet reimbursement"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Artificial Intelligence","Data & Analytics","Earth Observation"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-23T08:30:37Z"}],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":60,"reasons":["conf:0","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-09-23T20:02:42Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":123618,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/planet-senior-engineering-program-manager","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/planet-senior-engineering-program-manager.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-23T20:02:42Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers"}}