{"id":1691765,"url":"https://alion.io/job/spacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer","title":"Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer","company":{"id":2086894,"name":"SpaceNexus","domain":"spacenexus.us","url":"https://alion.io/company/spacenexus","size_band":"1-10","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Schema","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":4,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":11,"computed_at":"2026-10-14T06:34:16Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"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":"Agile","optional":false},{"name":"GDPR","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-01T15:16:40Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-14T13:30:51Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":12,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":12},"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:\nWe are currently seeking a Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer to support Planet’s development and deployment of our next generation satellite platforms. As a spacecraft technical lead, you will guide an agile manufacturing and test team through verification and validation (V&V), as well as integration, assembly and testing (AI&T) phases for new satellite systems. You will work directly with our Manufacturing, Test, and Qualification teams as well as cross-functional engineering design teams to ensure all requirements and any non-conformances are dispositioned.\nThis position requires a solid technical baseline and a systems-level mindset. You will need the technical credibility to navigate design discussions, facilitate risk-based trade-offs, and represent manufacturing and testability requirements early in the product lifecycle. Your primary objective will be to ensure Planet’s spacecraft transition smoothly from design to production while maintaining high standards for quality, schedule, and mission reliability.\nThis is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco HQ office 3 days per week.\nImpact You'll Own:\nDevelop and execute plans for Verification and Validation of the satellite system, including environmental, functional, and end-to-end testing\nLead triage of technical issues encountered during AI&T\nTrack requirements and non-conformances surfaced during AI&T and assess cross-functional risks as well as impacts to customer-specific deliverables\nLead continuous improvement of AI&T process to help transition Planet’s R&D development to scaled manufacturing programs of record\nComplete feed-back loop to multiple design teams, including Mechanical, Thermal, ADSCS/GNC, Propulsion, Electrical, and Manufacturing engineering for design feedback and continuous iteration\nWhat You Bring:\n6+ years of relevant work experience in the design and development of satellite systems\nBachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar\nExperience with vehicle testing, including both functional and environmental testing\nFamiliarity with requirements formulation as well as validation and verification best practices\nFamiliarity with space manufacturing processes, test strategies, and V&V workflows\nExperience with avionics integration, including familiarity with first order electronics debugging\nA solid technical baseline with a \"roll-up-your-sleeves\" mentality, enabling you to engage deeply with complex systems and translate technical engineering constraints into real-time decisions in the manufacturing process\nExceptional written and verbal communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to stay highly organized, manage schedule, and drive consensus across diverse, high-pressure environments\nWhat Makes You Stand Out:\n6+ years of experience working in the satellite industry, including design/analysis, AI&T and/or V&V\nExperience managing spacecraft hardware and software build and development cycles\nDeep technical fluency in at least one spacecraft specialization (e.g., structures, avionics, thermal design, software) allowing you to engage credibly with engineers on complex trade-offs\nFamiliar with industry standards including NASA GEVS and SMC-S-16 for small satellites (50-200 kg)\nRemote Sensing experience related to electro-optical payloads\nFamiliarity with industry standards and regulatory requirements related to Satellite and Rideshare Launch Vehicles\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\nPursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.\nWhy we care so much about Belonging.\nWe’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:\nPlanet 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:\nPlanet 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":10650,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":6,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Home office","Internet reimbursement","Parental leave"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space & Aerospace"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-02T11:02:01Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":37,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.67,"p_room":0.55,"age_days":12,"expected_fill_days":11,"reasons":["conf:9","velocity","win:tail","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-14T06:34:16Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":203200,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/spacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/spacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-14T13:37:58Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":16782,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-15T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":2086894},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=2086894"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fspacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fspacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fspacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/spacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fspacenexus-senior-spacecraft-systems-engineer"}]}