Application Guide

How to Apply for Flight Software Engineer

at Planet

🏢 About Planet

Planet operates the world's largest Earth-imaging satellite constellation, providing daily global coverage that enables monitoring of environmental changes, agricultural trends, and humanitarian crises. Unlike traditional aerospace companies, Planet combines space technology with Silicon Valley innovation to democratize access to geospatial intelligence. Working here means contributing to technology that directly supports climate science, disaster response, and sustainable development goals.

About This Role

As a Flight Software Engineer at Planet, you'll maintain and enhance the software running on their satellite fleet, troubleshooting issues in RTOS and Linux-based systems while implementing new features to improve satellite performance and reliability. This role directly impacts the quality and continuity of Earth observation data used by governments, researchers, and commercial clients worldwide. You'll work on software that operates in space, requiring exceptional attention to reliability and robustness.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing telemetry data to identify anomalies in satellite performance, collaborating with senior engineers to design software fixes for identified issues, and implementing code changes in C++ for Linux-based satellite systems. You'd participate in code reviews focused on reliability and safety, document your work for satellite operators, and potentially test software updates in simulation environments before deployment to the orbiting fleet.

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🎯 Who Planet Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years of hands-on experience with C/C++ on Linux systems, preferably with exposure to real-time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded environments
  • Demonstrates strong communication skills through examples of explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders like satellite operators or project managers
  • Shows experience with root cause analysis and debugging complex software issues, particularly in systems where reliability is critical
  • Has academic or professional background in aerospace, satellite systems, or other safety-critical domains (though not required, it's a strong plus)

📝 Tips for Applying to Planet

1

Highlight specific experience with Linux-based C/C++ development in your resume, quantifying achievements where possible (e.g., 'reduced bug resolution time by 30% through improved debugging processes')

2

Mention any experience with satellite systems, aerospace software, or other safety-critical domains - even academic projects or personal exploration of these areas

3

Research Planet's specific satellite constellations (Dove, SkySat, Pelican) and mention how your skills could contribute to their maintenance or enhancement

4

Prepare examples of explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences, as this is explicitly mentioned in the requirements

5

Show familiarity with software reliability practices relevant to space systems, such as fault tolerance, redundancy, or rigorous testing methodologies

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're specifically interested in Planet's mission of Earth observation and how your skills align with maintaining their satellite fleet", "Provide concrete examples of root cause investigations you've conducted and how you implemented solutions in production systems", 'Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with senior engineers by describing successful mentorship or knowledge-sharing experiences', 'Connect your background to the specific technical environment mentioned (C/C++ on Linux, RTOS experience if applicable)']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study Planet's satellite constellations (Dove, SkySat, Pelican) and their different capabilities and orbits
  • → Understand Planet's data products and how customers use their imagery for environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster response
  • → Research the technical challenges of operating large satellite constellations, including automation, ground station networks, and software deployment to space assets
  • → Look into Planet's open-source contributions and technical blog posts to understand their engineering culture and technology stack

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your process for conducting root cause analysis on a complex software defect in a production system
2 How would you implement a new feature in an existing satellite codebase while maintaining system reliability?
3 Explain a technical concept related to satellite operations (like orbital mechanics, thermal management, or radiation hardening) to a non-technical project manager
4 What experience do you have with real-time operating systems or embedded Linux environments?
5 How would you approach writing tests for flight software where hardware-in-the-loop testing may be limited?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with a generic software engineering resume that doesn't highlight Linux C/C++ experience or debugging complex systems
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of why reliability matters in aerospace software versus other domains
  • Not preparing examples of communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, despite this being explicitly mentioned in requirements

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Planet!

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