{"id":3647007,"url":"https://alion.io/job/planet-senior-flight-software-engineer","title":"Senior Flight Software Engineer","company":{"id":626,"name":"Planet","domain":"planet.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/planet","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":85,"open_postings":27,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.593,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":55,"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Francisco, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":162600,"max":203200,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":203200},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":6,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Debian","optional":false},{"name":"Embedded C","optional":false},{"name":"GDPR","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"RTOS","optional":false},{"name":"Ubuntu","optional":false},{"name":"Unix","optional":false},{"name":"C","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-02T23:07:35Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-02","last_verified_at":"2026-11-05T03:54:53Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"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:\nPlanet’s Flight Software Team is responsible for all of the embedded software that powers our diverse fleet of Superdove, Skysat, Pelican, and Tanager satellites. The software we build and maintain deploys to orbiting spacecraft hundreds of kilometers away and spans many functional verticals, including navigation and avionics, payload control, radio software, and supporting tooling and infrastructure. We collaborate closely with many other teams at Planet, including Payload, EE, RF, Ground Stations, and Missions teams, to deliver reliable and innovative solutions that ensure the success of Planet’s missions. As a Senior Flight Software Engineer for Superdove, you will lead ongoing development, verification, and on-orbit anomaly escalation for Planet’s core satellite platform. In this role, you will work with domain experts to design improved flight software, optimize operational efficiency, and ensure seamless hardware and software integration. Ideal candidates are curious, data-driven, and passionate about scaling orbital systems.\nWe are currently seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead ongoing development, verification, and on-orbit anomaly escalation for Planet’s existing satellite platform, Superdove. As a Senior Flight Software Engineer, you will develop a deep understanding of existing on-orbit software systems and how the software interacts with hardware, firmware, Satellite Operations, and the complex physical environment found in LEO. You will work closely with Manufacturing and Manufacturing Test to ensure successful satellite builds. You will work with domain experts in RF, ADCS, EE, FPGA, and our Flight Software team to design and implement improved flight software, and to support new requirements and circuit designs. You will use systems including Mission Control and telemetry to understand the behavior of our software on orbital scale, and will work with teams across Space Systems to deliver improved efficiency and productivity of our core Superdove imaging platform.\nThis is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week.\nImpact You'll Own:\nDevelop improved software systems for the Superdove spacecraft\nIdentify opportunities for efficiency and productivity gains, and implement them\nWork with FSW experts to deeply learn how existing systems work, gather ideas for how to improve them, plan long-term improvement projects, and deliver sustained value over months.\nBuild automated testing to increase confidence in the quality of our Flight Software systems.\nCollaborate with Missions Systems, Satellite Operations, Satellite Security, Systems Engineering, Ground Station Operations, and other teams to ensure that Flight Software meets the needs of our customers.\nPartner with Manufacturing and Manufacturing Test teams to streamline satellite builds and system integration.\nWhat You Bring:\nExperience with Ubuntu and/or Debian distributions of Linux.\nExperience with embedded C with or without an RTOS, preferably on STM32.\nExperience with C and C++ application code on UNIX/Linux.\nKnowledge of Python 3 and Python 2.\nBachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or similar; or equivalent work experience.\nAbility to use lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, voltmeters, and similar to investigate software and system behavior.\n6+ years of experience in the design and development of software systems.\nAbility to maintain existing systems, analyze system performance using data, and investigate complex system behaviors.\nWhat Makes You Stand Out:\nExperience using Linux in embedded environments such as kiosk or vehicle platforms.\nKnowledge of 8051 microprocessors.\nExperience using FPGAs and/or software that interfaces with FPGA designs\nUnderstanding of the PC architecture such as BIOS/EFI, PCIe and USB peripheral interfaces, SATA and EMMC storage, and the like.\nExperience maintaining and/or operating a deployed fleet of embedded systems with telemetry and other observability features.\nApplication Deadline:\n11:45p / 23:45 PT 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.\nEAR/ITAR Requirements:\nThis position requires access to 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 the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.\nBenefits While Working at Planet:\nThese offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.\nComprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans\nHealth Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution\nGenerous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off \n16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave\nWellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)\nHome Office Reimbursement\nMonthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement\nTuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning\nEquity\nCommuter Benefits (if local to an office)\nVolunteering Paid Time Off\nCompensation:\nThe US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is listed below. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short-term and long-term incentives (bonus and equity). The final salary range is determined by job related experience, skills and location. The range displays our typical hiring range for new hire salaries in US locations only. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.\nSan Francisco Salary Range\n$162,600—$203,200 USD\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. 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