Freelance Camera Systems Engineer Jobs in California

About the Role:

Planet seeks a Senior Camera Systems Engineer to serve as the primary system architect and technical lead for our next-generation satellite camera modules. In this role, you will bridge the gap between mission-level imaging goals and hardware implementation, orchestrating the end-to-end lifecycle of our camera systems. You will drive requirements flowdown, lead cross-functional trade studies, and manage key technical relationships with external image sensor and camera component vendors.

You will collaborate closely with Electrical, Mechanical, Thermal, Optical, and Flight Software teams to optimize the camera system to meet our tight SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, Cost, and Schedule) and electro-optical performance targets.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Translate top-level remote sensing performance requirements into clear, verifiable specifications for the camera subsystem (including image sensor, proximity electronics, lens/optical interfaces, and thermal management).
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external image sensor foundries and camera component vendors; drive statement of work (SOW) definitions, technical milestones, and critical design reviews (PDR/CDR).
• Lead camera-level trade studies balancing image quality attributes (SNR, dynamic range, MTF, radiometry) against spacecraft constraints like power consumption, thermal dissipation, and mass.
• Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) mapping the boundaries between the camera module, high-speed data serialization, the image signal processing (ISP) pipeline, and the host payload/spacecraft bus.
• Own the end-to-end verification matrix for the camera; design and oversee the execution of environmental qualification plans (vacuum, thermal, vibration) and electro-optical calibration routines.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5+ years dedicated to systems engineering or technical leadership for complex digital cameras or electro-optical (EO) imaging systems.
• Track record of managing requirements traceability and flowdown across electrical, mechanical, and optical boundaries
• Experience managing external vendors, foundries, or contract manufacturers for high-performance camera components or custom sensors.
• Deep understanding of CMOS image sensor architecture, radiometry, and camera performance budgets (e.g., tracking noise, stray light, and MTF across the camera module).

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience developing camera hardware or imaging instruments for the LEO environment, including knowledge of radiation mitigation, outgassing, and vacuum-compatible design.
• Experience applying aerospace standards (NASA, ESA, or high-reliability commercial equivalents) to camera qualification, environmental testing, and hardware acceptance.
• Familiarity with hardware-level image processing (e.g., dark current correction, defective pixel masking), high-speed serialization protocols, and ground-station image calibration.

Application Deadline:

October 23, 2026 at 11:59p PT

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.