Planet Labs.

Planet operates the largest constellation of Earth imaging satellites, capturing the entire land surface daily at 3 to 5 meter resolution. This unprecedented temporal frequency enables change detection and monitoring at a global scale. Traditional earth observation satellites image specific areas infrequently. Planet's approach sacrifices some spatial resolution for comprehensive daily coverage. This creates unique data engineering challenges processing petabytes of imagery and building analytics that turn raw images into actionable insights.

Planet offers careers in satellite engineering (spacecraft design, manufacturing, testing), ground systems (satellite operations, data downlink management), geospatial data engineering (image processing, cloud infrastructure), data science (ML for image analysis, change detection), and business functions (sales to agriculture, government, and finance customers). The company bridges hardware and software in unusual ways, allowing engineers to gain experience across the full stack from orbit to analytics dashboard.

The Planet Labs interview process typically includes an initial recruiter screen, followed by one or more technical or behavioral rounds, and a final on site or virtual loop. Each stage evaluates different skills depending on the role you applied for.

Planet Labs interviews include a mix of behavioral questions (using the STAR method), technical or domain specific questions, and situational problem solving. The exact mix depends on the department and seniority level of the role.

Many Planet Labs roles include a technical component, though the format varies. Engineering roles may involve coding challenges or system design, while other positions focus on case studies, portfolio reviews, or domain knowledge assessments relevant to the team.

Planet Labs receives a high volume of applications for most openings, making the selection process competitive. Standing out requires a tailored resume, strong interview preparation, and clear articulation of how your skills match the specific role and team needs.

Most Planet Labs roles involve 3 to 5 interview rounds. This usually includes a recruiter call, a phone or video technical screen, and 2 to 3 on site or virtual loop interviews with the hiring team.

Planet Labs offers relocation packages for many full time roles, though specifics vary by position and location. It is best to discuss relocation support with your recruiter during the initial screening phase so you can factor it into your decision.