How to apply for Solutions Architect, Pre-Sales - German Defense & Intelligence

About Planet

Planet operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history and delivers a cloud-based platform for Earth data. The company controls hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering in-house. Employees work remotely worldwide, with offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.

About the role

This pre-sales solutions architect role supports the German Defense and Intelligence community. You design complex solutions to show how Planet's data and services solve earth data challenges. You collaborate with internal teams (sales, product, engineering) to demonstrate value to authoritative figures.

A typical day

You might start with a call with the sales team to prepare for a customer demo. Later, you design a solution architecture for a German intelligence agency, then meet with product engineers to clarify data integration. You end the day documenting the solution and updating the account team.

Who Planet is looking for

• Experience in pre-sales or solutions architecture for defense or intelligence customers in Germany.
• Ability to design technical solutions using satellite imagery and cloud-based data platforms.
• Knowledge of German defense and intelligence procurement, security, and data handling requirements.
• Fluent in German and English, with strong presentation skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with Earth observation data, satellite imagery, or geospatial analytics in your resume.
• Mention specific German defense or intelligence agencies or programs you have supported, if allowed to disclose.
• Explain how you have designed solutions that address data challenges for government clients.
• Show familiarity with Planet's satellite constellation and cloud platform by referencing specific products or data types.
• Emphasize your ability to work remotely and collaborate across time zones with internal teams in the US and Europe.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience with German defense or intelligence customers and their data needs.', 'A concrete example of a pre-sales solution you designed that solved an earth data challenge.', 'Your technical understanding of satellite imagery, cloud platforms, and data processing.', 'Your ability to work with internal teams to demonstrate value to authoritative figures.']

Research before applying

• Learn about Planet's satellite constellation, including the types of imaging and revisit rates.
• Understand Planet's cloud-based platform and how customers access and analyze data.
• Research the German defense and intelligence community's structure and data acquisition processes.
• Review Planet's public case studies or press releases involving government or defense customers.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design a solution for a German intelligence agency needing daily satellite imagery of a specific region?
• Describe a time you explained a complex technical solution to a non-technical defense customer.
• What are the key security and data handling requirements for German defense customers?
• How do you collaborate with sales and product teams to create a pre-sales demonstration?
• What do you know about Planet's satellite constellation and how it differs from competitors?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention German defense or intelligence.
• Failing to demonstrate any knowledge of satellite imagery or Earth observation data.
• Ignoring the pre-sales aspect and focusing only on technical architecture without showing how you demonstrate value to customers.