Senior Manufacturing Production 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:

As Senior Manufacturing Production Manager in Berlin, you will lead the production team building the bus assemblies for our Pelican V2 satellite line. You will own the day-to-day production rhythm: technician team leadership, build sequencing, kit handover, throughput, and the manufacturing cadence that turns engineering designs into delivered hardware. You will partner closely with the Berlin Engineering Manager, Materials Manager, and the Berlin Site Director, and coordinate with the US Manufacturing team in San Francisco on bus-to-spacecraft integration handoff.

This is a leadership role through site bring-up. You will help shape the production team, processes, and rhythms from initial standup through scale to higher cadence over the coming years. The ideal candidate operates effectively in both bring-up mode (validating processes, training teams, troubleshooting) and steady-state mode (driving throughput, KPIs, continuous improvement).

This is a full-time, in-office position based in our Berlin Manufacturing Center 5 days a week.

Impact You’ll Own:

• Lead the Berlin production technician team and grow it as the site scales
• Own the daily production rhythm: shift planning, kit handover, build sequencing, status reviews
• Drive production execution metrics: throughput, on-time completion, first-pass yield
• Partner with the Berlin Engineering Manager on non-conformances, technical issues, and continuous improvement
• Coordinate with the Berlin Materials Manager on kit availability, inventory accuracy, and shortage response
• Coordinate cross-site with the US Manufacturing team on bus-panel handoff and tech transfer
• Train and develop production technicians as the team scales
• Establish daily and weekly production cadences (standups, build reviews, exec readouts)
• Own production response to escalations: stuck builds, rework, customer or program-level urgency
• Live the safety, quality, and ITAR/EAR compliance culture on the manufacturing floor

What You Bring:

• 6+ years of manufacturing experience with at least 4+ years leading a production team
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• History of managing complex, interdisciplinary manufacturing processes
• Experience managing a manufacturing technician team in a regulated, controlled environment (aerospace, defense, medical device, semiconductor, or similar)
• Expertise with kit-based or work-order-driven production models
• Expertise with building clear and effective schedules for production planning
• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems
• Solid people leadership: hiring, coaching, performance management
• Hands-on attitude towards work
• Professional working proficiency in English, the language of the company
• Ability to operate effectively across US and Germany cultural and timezone differences
• Eligible to work in Germany (visa sponsorship may be considered for the right candidate)

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Ability to learn new engineering concepts quickly
• Ability to implement continuous improvement processes
• Desire to lead others and coach them to their fullest potential
• Experience scaling a manufacturing site from greenfield through ramp
• Experience in satellite, spacecraft, or aerospace manufacturing
• German language skills (or willingness to learn)
• Experience operating in an ITAR/EAR-controlled manufacturing environment
• Experience with dual-site or distributed manufacturing operations

Application Deadline:

September 17, 2026 by 11:59p / 23:59 CET (Central European Time)

Export Control Requirements:

Planet Labs Germany GmbH is authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information at Planet under an export license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security. This position requires access to U.S. and German/EU 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 German, EU, or U.S. authorities.

Benefits While Working at Planet:

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

• Paid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off
• Employee Wellness Program
• Home Office Reimbursement
• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Equity
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

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.

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. 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.

Privacy Policy : By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants , and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.

Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe , and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.

AI in Our Interviewing Process : Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.

Candidate AI Policy : Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions . If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact [email protected] with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.