Technical Program Manager

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:

The Technical Program Manager (TPM) will oversee the High Resolution Imagery Program as an integrated end-to-end process across the entire Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) workflow, ensuring seamless operation and alignment with strategic business objectives.

Impact You’ll Own:

• Partner with diverse cross-functional teams to deliver comprehensive programs addressing complex technical and business challenges.
• Manage program dependencies effectively, ensuring robust communication across teams and leadership.
• Influence decision-making processes with executives through data-driven analysis and strategic insights.
• Implement and refine processes that underscore the agile aerospace approach, promoting efficiency and adaptability within project teams.
• Drive the achievement of technical and business objectives through diligent risk management, quality assurance, and performance optimization.

What You Bring:

The TPM will bring experience necessary to work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Managers, Mission Operations Teams, and Mission Directors to lead the following efforts:

• Program Planning: Oversee the High Resolution Imagery Program, ensuring each element aligns with overarching business & product goals.
• Integrated Program Schedule: Manage and coordinate program milestones and dependencies across various business initiatives, Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and product roadmaps to ensure timely and efficient program execution.
• Release Management: Supervise the program's release processes, including scheduling, criteria establishment, and readiness reviews to enhance visibility and ensure alignment with release goals.
• Resource Management: Collaborate with various teams to assess and address resource capacity, removing bottlenecks and reprioritizing tasks as necessary to maintain workflow efficiency.
• Operational Performance: Monitor operational systems against established Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Service Level Objectives (SLOs), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to guarantee quality and timely delivery.
• Transition to Operations: Develop cross-functional plans for significant operational changes, aligning teams and mitigating risks to ensure smooth transitions and continued operational excellence.
• Strategy Development: Create and implement an operations-based strategy that informs and enhances the Product Roadmap, focusing on operations improvement initiatives to drive business growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work across the TCPED workflow, integrating people, processes, and systems to address and manage dependencies effectively within the business context.
• Risk and Issue Management: Proactively identify and manage risks that could impact the program, ensuring issues are addressed promptly to minimize impact on project outcomes.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• A technical Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of 5 years in program management within technology and aerospace sectors, demonstrating a capacity to lead complex projects with a strategic and analytical approach
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to craft a recommendation and advocate for its implementation
• Experience working within data visualization tools
• Experience in satellite imagery, space borne or ground platforms, analytics, or Geospatial Information Systems
• Hands-on HW/SW design experience

Benefits While Working at Planet:

• Comprehensive Health Plan
• Wellness program and onsite massages in specific offices
• Flexible Time Off
• Recognition Programs
• Commuter Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Parental Leave
• Offsites and Happy Hours
• Volunteering Benefits

Compensation:

The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is $113,000 - $151,000. 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.

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 with diversity, equity and inclusion. 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 [email protected] or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

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