Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.
Planet 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.
Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.
As 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.
We 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.
Planet 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.
About the Role:
As Senior Product Manager, Defense & Intelligence (D&I) Tasking Solutions, you bridge Planet's core Tasking platform and our defense mission offerings. You will own Tip-and-Cue and the Tasking Strategy Engine—translating complex mission rules into satellite collection—while representing D&I operational needs into core platform product lines, including Constellation Services (CxS) and Real-Time Insights (RTI).
Partnering closely with Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE), you will focus on technical delivery: converting recurring field integration patterns into durable, reusable platform capabilities that accelerate delivery speed across high-consequence defense environments.
This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco, CA or Arlington, VA office 3 days per week.
Impact You'll Own:
- Define how customer config-driven logic translates to sensor/constellation selection, collection cadence, multi-constellation/all-weather logic that converts mission intent into optimized satellite collection calls.
- Partner with Forward Deployed Engineers in the field to identify recurring customer integration patterns, converting them into generalizable, reusable platform features rather than one-off custom builds.
- Convert defense business rules and domain logic into dynamic tasking strategy designs, directly driving down pixel-to-insight latency.
- Consolidate inputs across field engineering, GTM/sales, and adjacent PM counterparts into a prioritized D&I Tasking Solutions roadmap.
- Collaborate closely with the Commercial Tasking, CxS and RTI product managers to ensure D&I tasking, capacity, and low-latency delivery requirements are represented in the shared platform roadmap.
- Work with compliance and security teams to ensure all products and services adhere to export control laws, national security constraints, and data privacy standards.
- Collaborate with adjacent D&I Solutions PMs (owning platform extensibility, packaging, and frontend mission workflows) to deliver a seamless end-to-end user experience.
What You Bring:
- 6 to 8 years of technical product management experience bridging core platform teams and technical field teams (FDE, Solutions Engineering).
- Solid understanding of tasking, scheduling, or workflow-orchestration systems, and enterprise integration patterns.
- Proven ability to separate generalizable platform capabilities from one-off customizations.
- Experience translating operational rules, mission logic, or domain-specific business processes into system workflows and product requirements.
- Background in geospatial intelligence, satellite tasking, or a closely related defense technology field.
- Track record of prioritizing backlogs across competing technical and operational demands.
- Experience presenting technical trade-offs and mission impact in both engineering design reviews and executive/customer briefings.
- Experience independently owning a roadmap or workstream spanning multiple concurrent priorities, with minimal day-to-day oversight.
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Hands-on experience with satellite operations, orbital scheduling APIs, constellation orchestration, collection management, or event-driven machine-to-machine architectures.
- Experience scaling vertical product/solution layers on top of shared platform infrastructure.
- Active or prior U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or TS/SCI).
- Direct operational background within or supporting the U.S. Defense & Intelligence Community.
Application Deadline:
11:45pm 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.
EAR/ITAR Requirements:
This 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.
Benefits While Working at Planet:
These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
- Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off
- 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Home Office Reimbursement
- Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
- Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
- Equity
- Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
- Volunteering Paid Time Off
Compensation:
The 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.
US National Salary Range
$142,800—$178,500 USD
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Why we care so much about Belonging.
We’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.
EEO statement:
Planet 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.
Accommodations:
Planet 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 accommodations@planet.com or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.
Privacy 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.
Privacy 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.
AI 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.
Candidate 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 accommodations@planet.com 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.