Intern, Mission Optimization Engineer

Internships at Planet Planet's Summer 2026 internships are full-time, paid 12-week positions located in our San Francisco HQ Office. Program Dates June 1 - August 21 About the Role The Mission Optimization team supports all Planet's missions, working to maximize the productivity of the world's largest Earth Observation satellite constellation. Our team spans North America and Europe. Given the scale of our fleet, automation is at the heart of our operations. You'll develop and maintain critical software that is used to manage and operate our fleet, transforming large datasets into actionable metrics. As a Mission Optimization Engineer Intern, the main scope of your project will be fleet-wide productivity optimization. You will help identify possible inefficiencies in the automated services we use to operate our satellites, and design and implement solutions to improve the overall productivity of the fleet. We are looking for a data-driven, self-starter engineer with effective communication skills that collaborates well within a technical team and adapts quickly to changing tasks and contexts. You will also work closely with hardware and software experts across teams to provide operational insights that shape our next-generation satellites. This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco office 5 days per week. Impact You'll Own Develop and maintain real-time, mission-critical software solutions for satellite operations Write scripts to aggregate satellite data and generate system monitoring metrics Analyze data to identify issues and inefficiencies in the full stack of services and propose solutions to improve productivity Identify and drive improvements to fleet capacity and productivity through process enhancements What You Bring Currently enrolled in a BSc in engineering or computer science Proficiency in software development, particularly in Python or equivalent languages Data-driven mindset with experience in statistical analysis Proactive, self-starter approach to engineering and problem-solving Effective interpersonal and collaboration skills within a technical team What Makes You Stand Out Experience with agile software development Experience with DevOps tools and practices (e.g., Git, GitLab, Docker, Jenkins, Bash, Linux, CI/CD, Sentry, Datadog) Familiarity with satellite engineering and/or the space environment and its challenges Hands-on experience operating spacecraft or remote systems Familiarity with automation and optimization frameworks Contributions to open-source software projects Application Deadline April 13, 2026 at 11:59p PT 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 Paid time off for holidays and company-wide days off Access to LinkedIn Learning Compensation The US hourly rate range for this position at the commencement of employment is $35 - $60. 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. San Francisco Salary Range $37 — $60 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. 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 View email address on click.appcast.io or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you. #J-18808-Ljbffr Planet Labs PBC