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Spacecraft Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Planet's Mission Control is a web-based application that empowers spacecraft operators and analysts to monitor, control, and study our growing fleet of satellites. It is flanked by a number of ...

Structural Analyst

OR · On-site +1

Position Overview We are seeking a mechanical engineer with deep experience in the structural analysis of spacecraft. In this role you will build finite element models and run analysis cases in FEMAP ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

OR · On-site +1

$75K - $102K/yr

A minimum of 12 years of hands-on experience in mechanical design, integration, and testing of spacecraft and spacecraft components. Preferred Qualifications: * Strong technical skill in design of ...

We design and build flight systems for spacecraft, habitats, and suits, advancing systems that manage air, water, waste, and thermal control for human missions. Our portfolio spans CO₂ removal and ...

We design and build flight systems for spacecraft, habitats, and suits, advancing systems that manage air, water, waste, and thermal control for human missions. Our portfolio spans CO₂ removal and ...

We design and build flight systems for spacecraft, habitats, and suits, advancing systems that manage air, water, waste, and thermal control for human missions. Our portfolio spans CO removal and air ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Wilsonville, OR · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

We design and build flight systems for spacecraft, habitats, and suits, advancing systems that manage air, water, waste, and thermal control for human missions. Our portfolio spans CO removal and air ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Wilsonville, OR · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

We design and build flight systems for spacecraft, habitats, and suits, advancing systems that manage air, water, waste, and thermal control for human missions. Our portfolio spans CO₂ removal and ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Wilsonville, OR · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

We design and build flight systems for spacecraft, habitats, and suits, advancing systems that manage air, water, waste, and thermal control for human missions. Our portfolio spans CO₂ removal and ...

We design and build flight systems for spacecraft, habitats, and suits, advancing systems that manage air, water, waste, and thermal control for human missions. Our portfolio spans CO₂ removal and ...

Spacecraft information

What is a spacecraft?

Spacecraft are vehicles or machines designed to travel in outer space. They can be crewed or uncrewed and are used for a variety of purposes, such as exploration, communication, Earth observation, and scientific research. Spacecraft can operate in Earth's orbit, travel to other planets, or journey beyond our solar system. They play a crucial role in expanding our understanding of space and supporting modern technologies like GPS, weather forecasting, and satellite television.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a spacecraft engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Spacecraft Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards like NASA or ESA guidelines are essential. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are vital soft skills for addressing complex technical challenges and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing, building, and maintaining safe and reliable spacecraft that perform critical missions.

What are common challenges faced by engineers working on spacecraft development projects?

Engineers working on spacecraft development often encounter challenges such as strict weight and material constraints, the need for rigorous testing to ensure reliability in harsh space environments, and tight project timelines driven by mission schedules. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams—such as propulsion, avionics, and structural engineering—is essential to address complex system integration issues. Additionally, adapting to rapid technological advancements and evolving mission requirements can require continuous learning and flexibility.

What is the difference between Spacecraft vs Satellite?

AspectSpacecraftSatellite
Required credentialsEngineering degrees, specialized training in spacecraft systemsEngineering or science degrees, satellite technology knowledge
Work environmentManufacturing facilities, launch sites, space missionsOrbiting Earth or other celestial bodies, ground stations
Industry usageSpace exploration, research, deep space missionsCommunications, weather monitoring, navigation

Spacecraft and satellites share many skills and credentials, but spacecraft generally refer to vehicles designed for space exploration or research, while satellites are primarily used for communication, navigation, or observation. Both roles involve working in aerospace environments and require specialized technical knowledge.

What are popular job titles related to Spacecraft jobs in Oregon?

For Spacecraft jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Spacecraft jobs in Oregon look for?

The top searched job categories for Spacecraft jobs in Oregon are:

Infographic showing various Spacecraft job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Software Engineer, Missions Software

Planet

OR • On-site, Remote

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

About the Role:

Planet's Mission Control is a web-based application that empowers spacecraft operators and analysts to monitor, control, and study our growing fleet of satellites. It is flanked by a number of distributed microservices that handle spacecraft scheduling, tasking, telemetry processing, and similar operational needs. Together, these services automate much of the day-to-day operations of Planet's fleet of satellites.

You'll be a part of a team that builds, maintains, and operates these tools. Our mission is to offer a seamless interface that enables spacecraft operators, analysts, and engineers at Planet to interact effortlessly with our assets in space. We strive to minimize operational burden, and to automate all aspects of satellite operations. You will be a part of a team that will support, enable and engage with the end users to iterate on these systems. In this role, you will tackle and solve a broad array of engineering problems in a dynamic environment.

This is a full-time, remote position based in the United States or Canada. If located near an office, you are expected to work from that office 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

  • Maintain and augment the automation and services ultimately responsible for the operation of Planet's satellites. This includes but is not limited to:
    • Specify and implement new HTTP APIs and help improve existing ones.
    • Evaluate and choose appropriate software technologies.
    • Design and deploy critical infrastructure.
  • Contribute with a team that values open and honest communication, collaboration, self-learning and initiative to solve problems big and small.
  • Work closely with various teams across Planet, ranging from Satellite and Ground Operations, to Pipeline and Product teams to ensure the satellite constellation meets all of the needs to achieve Planet's missions.

What You Bring:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
  • 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
  • Experience in Python programming.
  • Experience in API design.
  • Experience with automated testing, code review, and documentation.
  • Experience with relational database technologies (e.g., Postgres, MySQL, etc.).
  • Experience with maintaining peer-reviewed code and continuous integration and deployment workflows and tooling like GitLab CI and Docker or similar.
  • Proficient Linux skills.
  • Ability to be a self-starter for solving problems in a dynamic environment.
  • Ability to clearly communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

What Makes You Stand Out:

  • Experience building services that leverage cloud-based infrastructure and tooling such as AWS or GCP.
  • Experience maintaining infrastructure with Ansible or similar (eg. Kubernetes, Terraform).
  • Experience working with monitoring tools like Datadog, Sentry, or equivalent.
  • Experience working in microservice environments.
  • Knowledge of aerospace concepts.

Application Deadline:

September 25, 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.

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