As a QA Engineer at Planet, your day-to-day work will directly impact the reliability of the data that thousands of customers rely on daily. Your responsibilities will span across multiple domains:

• Designing and Executing Test Plans: You will collaborate with product and engineering teams early in the development cycle to define test strategies, write comprehensive test cases, and execute both manual and automated tests.
• Developing Automation Suites: You will write robust, reusable automation scripts to minimize manual testing overhead and accelerate release cycles without sacrificing quality.
• Troubleshooting Complex Systems: You will investigate, reproduce, and document complex defects, working closely with developers to resolve issues that cross hardware, software, and network boundaries.
• Maintaining Quality Standards: You will champion testing best practices within your team, ensuring that code quality, performance, and security are prioritized throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will act as a bridge between software developers, aerospace hardware engineers, and operations teams to ensure smooth, reliable releases of both software platforms and satellite payloads.

While the exact qualifications can vary depending on whether you are joining a web-focused software team or an aerospace-focused systems team, Planet typically looks for the following core profile:

• Must-have skills:

  • Solid experience in software quality assurance, with a proven track record of testing complex, distributed systems.
  • Strong scripting and programming skills, particularly in Python, which is widely used across Planet's engineering teams.
  • Demonstrated experience with test automation tools and frameworks (e.g., PyTest, Selenium, Cypress, or Postman).
  • Excellent technical troubleshooting skills, with the ability to analyze logs, database states, and system metrics to isolate defects.

• Nice-to-have skills:

  • Experience testing embedded systems, avionics, or hardware-software integrations.
  • Familiarity with geospatial data formats, GIS tools, or satellite imagery pipelines.
  • Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud infrastructure (AWS or GCP).
  • A degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.

Q: How technical is the QA Engineer interview at Planet? A: The technical depth depends heavily on the team. If you are interviewing for a web platform or API team, the focus will be on software automation, databases, and API testing. If you are interviewing for a space systems or avionics team, expect a strong focus on systems engineering, embedded systems, and hardware-software troubleshooting.

Q: Is there a coding assessment? A: Yes, most tracks include a coding or scripting assessment, typically in Python. The focus is usually on practical scripting, data manipulation, or writing test utilities rather than abstract, highly complex algorithmic puzzles.

Q: Does Planet support remote work for QA Engineers? A: Planet offers hybrid and remote options for many roles, but certain QA Engineer positions—especially those involving physical satellite hardware, avionics testing, or lab equipment—require consistent on-site presence at key offices like San Francisco or Porto. Be sure to clarify this with your recruiter during the first call.

• Highlight Your Troubleshooting Mindset: When answering technical questions, place equal emphasis on how you investigate problems. Planet values engineers who can systematically isolate variables in complex, ambiguous environments.
• Show Mission Alignment: Learn about Planet’s satellite constellations (Doves, SuperDoves, Pelicans) and how their data is used. Expressing a genuine interest in space technology and Earth observation goes a long way.
• Prepare Your Previous Projects: Be ready to speak in detail about your past roles. Focus on the testing challenges you faced, the tools you chose, and the measurable impact your QA processes had on product quality and release speed.

Securing a QA Engineer role at Planet is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of aerospace technology and cloud-scale software development. Because the company's systems span from orbit to the cloud, a successful candidate must demonstrate a strong engineering foundation, a systematic approach to troubleshooting, and a collaborative spirit.

To prepare effectively, focus your energy on mastering your core testing methodologies, practicing Python-based scripting, and refining your behavioral stories. If you are interviewing for a hardware-adjacent team, spend time reviewing systems integration and avionics troubleshooting concepts.

The salary data reflects the competitive compensation packages offered by Planet, which typically include base salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits. Use this data to benchmark your expectations based on your seniority level and geographical location, ensuring you are prepared for compensation discussions in the final stages of the process.

With focused preparation and a clear understanding of Planet's unique mission, you can walk into your interviews with confidence. For more detailed interview insights, company profiles, and preparation resources, explore the tools and data available on Dataford. Good luck!