Application Guide

How to Apply for Software Engineer, Missions Software

at Planet

🏢 About Planet

Planet operates the world's largest constellation of Earth-imaging satellites, capturing daily imagery of the entire planet. The company's mission is to make global change visible, accessible, and actionable, enabling informed decisions in agriculture, forestry, government, and more. Working here means contributing to a cutting-edge space and software engineering effort that directly impacts environmental stewardship and global transparency.

About This Role

As a Software Engineer on the Missions Software team, you will build and maintain the automation and services that control Planet's satellite constellation. This includes designing HTTP APIs, evaluating new technologies, and ensuring reliable operations. Your work directly enables the satellite fleet to meet mission needs, making you a critical link between ground systems and space assets.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up with the Missions Software team to discuss ongoing API changes or satellite operations issues. You could spend the morning writing automated tests for a new service that schedules satellite imagery collections, then review a colleague's code for a telemetry database migration. In the afternoon, you might collaborate with Satellite Operations to debug a command sequence failure, and end the day by deploying a new feature to production via GitLab CI.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Planet

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Planet Is Looking For

  • A Python expert who is comfortable building and maintaining production-grade APIs and services, with experience in automated testing and code reviews.
  • Someone with solid database skills (Postgres/MySQL) who can design schemas and write efficient queries for satellite telemetry and operations data.
  • A collaborative engineer who thrives in cross-functional teams (Satellite Ops, Ground, Pipeline) and values open communication and self-learning.
  • Experienced with CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, Docker) and Linux systems, and eager to contribute to infrastructure design for high-reliability space systems.

📝 Tips for Applying to Planet

1

Highlight specific Python projects where you designed and implemented HTTP APIs, especially if they involved automation or real-time control systems.

2

Mention any experience with satellite operations, aerospace software, or mission-critical systems—even if from a hobby or academic project.

3

Tailor your resume to emphasize collaboration with cross-functional teams; use examples where you worked with ops, hardware, or other engineering groups.

4

If you have experience with GitLab CI and Docker, showcase a pipeline you built or improved, including how it increased reliability or speed.

5

Write a cover letter that connects your personal interest in space, climate, or global imagery to Planet's mission—show genuine passion for Earth observation.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for using software to enable space missions and Earth observation—explain why Planet's mission resonates with you.", 'Specific examples of Python API design and automated testing that demonstrate your ability to build reliable, maintainable services.', "Experience working in cross-functional teams and your communication skills—especially how you've collaborated with non-software teams.", 'Your familiarity with CI/CD and infrastructure, showing you can contribute to both code and deployment pipelines.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand Planet's satellite technology: Dove, SuperDove, and SkySat constellations—their capabilities and how they differ.
  • → Read about Planet's API and data platform (e.g., Planet Explorer, APIs for imagery access) to understand how ground systems interact with users.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the concept of 'missions software' in the context of satellite operations—commanding, scheduling, and telemetry.
  • → Look into Planet's recent news or blog posts about software engineering challenges, such as scaling the constellation or improving automation.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Design a REST API for a satellite tasking system—consider endpoints, authentication, error handling, and scalability.
2 How would you debug a failing CI/CD pipeline that causes delays in satellite command uploads?
3 Explain how you would model a database schema for satellite telemetry data (e.g., time-series, state changes, commands).
4 Describe a time you had to work with a team that had conflicting priorities (e.g., ops vs. engineering) and how you resolved it.
5 What experience do you have with Docker containerization for microservices, and how would you apply it to ground system software?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning Planet or space—show you've done your homework.
  • Overemphasizing front-end or mobile development experience—this role is backend/infrastructure focused.
  • Neglecting to mention testing or documentation practices—these are explicitly valued in the job description.

📅 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!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →