Application Guide

How to Apply for Working Student, Space Operations

at Planet

🏢 About Planet

Planet is unique as the world's largest Earth-imaging satellite constellation provider, offering daily global coverage that enables monitoring of environmental changes, humanitarian efforts, and commercial applications. Working here means contributing to a mission of 'impactful stewardship' through real-time data that helps address climate change, deforestation, and food security. Their German operations center plays a crucial role in managing this global fleet, offering hands-on experience with cutting-edge space technology.

About This Role

This Working Student role involves both routine satellite operations (daily fleet checks, anomaly resolution) and development work (automating tools, creating scripts for data aggregation and metrics). You'll directly impact satellite health and performance through data analysis while having autonomy to lead standalone projects that evolve operational processes. It's a unique opportunity to bridge software development with real-world space operations at a pioneering company.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with reviewing automated alerts and performing daily health checks on the satellite fleet using operational dashboards. You'd spend time developing Python scripts to aggregate telemetry data, then analyze trends to assess satellite performance. Depending on priorities, you could be troubleshooting an anomaly, collaborating with engineers on a process improvement, or advancing your standalone project to automate operational tasks.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Planet Is Looking For

  • A current engineering/software/science student with hands-on Python experience, ideally demonstrated through projects involving automation, data processing, or API integration
  • Someone who can articulate specific examples of tackling unique challenges independently, showing initiative beyond coursework requirements
  • A candidate with practical experience in statistical analysis and data visualization (e.g., using pandas, matplotlib, or similar tools) applied to real datasets
  • A communicator who can explain technical space concepts clearly and shows genuine enthusiasm for Earth observation applications

📝 Tips for Applying to Planet

1

Highlight any Python projects involving automation or data processing—even academic ones—with links to GitHub repositories if available

2

Mention specific Earth observation or satellite applications that excite you, showing you've researched Planet's actual use cases (agriculture, disaster response, etc.)

3

Describe a time you diagnosed and resolved a technical anomaly, even if not space-related, to demonstrate problem-solving relevant to satellite operations

4

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'data-driven development,' 'metrics generation,' and 'process improvement' with concrete examples

5

If you have experience with Linux/command-line tools or version control (Git), explicitly mention it since these are essential for operational environments

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for space technology with specific examples of how you've engaged with it (projects, courses, clubs, or following Planet's missions)", 'Concrete examples of Python development experience, particularly scripts that process, analyze, or visualize data', 'Demonstrated initiative in tackling unique challenges—describe a project where you identified a problem and developed a solution independently', 'How your skills in statistical analysis and data visualization could contribute to satellite performance assessments and operational improvements']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Planet's specific satellite constellations (Dove, SkySat) and their capabilities—understand the difference between daily monitoring and high-resolution imaging
  • → Recent news about Planet's data applications in Germany/Europe (e.g., agricultural monitoring, climate initiatives) to show local relevance
  • → The company's public APIs and developer tools, as you might work with similar internal systems
  • → Planet's mission statement and how 'impactful stewardship' translates to specific projects or partnerships

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through a Python script you've written for data analysis or automation, explaining your design choices and how you handled errors
2 How would you approach diagnosing an unexpected satellite anomaly given telemetry data? Describe your troubleshooting process
3 Discuss a time you improved an existing process or tool—what metrics did you use to measure success?
4 What Earth observation applications interest you most, and how might Planet's data address those challenges?
5 Describe how you'd collaborate with engineering teams to implement an operational improvement while balancing daily responsibilities
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic statements about loving space without connecting to Planet's specific Earth-imaging mission or showing knowledge of their technology
  • Listing Python as a skill without providing project examples or describing what libraries you've used (pandas, numpy, etc.)
  • Focusing only on academic achievements without demonstrating practical initiative or hands-on problem-solving experience

📅 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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