Planet Labs: A Culture of Innovation, Collaboration, and Global Impact

Employee Experiences: Solving Earth’s Biggest Challenges from Space

At Planet Labs, employees don’t just build satellites—they redefine how we understand our planet. The company’s mission to image the entire Earth daily and provide actionable data drives a culture of relentless innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Real Stories of Innovation and Problem-Solving

- From Concept to Orbit in Record Time
When Planet needed to rapidly deploy a new satellite constellation to improve imaging resolution, a cross-functional team of engineers, data scientists, and mission operators worked around the clock. "We went from whiteboard sketches to launch-ready hardware in under a year," recalls Maria Chen, a spacecraft systems engineer. "The pace is intense, but the impact—seeing our data used for disaster response or deforestation tracking—makes it worth it."

- AI-Powered Insights from Space
Planet’s data science team developed machine learning models to detect illegal fishing vessels by analyzing satellite imagery. "We trained algorithms to spot ships that weren’t broadcasting their locations," says James Park, a senior data scientist. "When our models helped authorities intercept a vessel engaged in illegal fishing, it was a reminder that our work isn’t just about technology—it’s about protecting the planet."

- Collaboration Across Continents
Planet’s global team spans San Francisco, Berlin, and Washington, D.C., with engineers, scientists, and operators working seamlessly across time zones. "I might start my day reviewing telemetry data from our Berlin team, then jump on a call with our U.S. mission control to adjust satellite tasking," shares Anika Patel, a mission operations specialist. "The collaboration is constant, and everyone’s input is valued."

Celebrating Wins—Big and Small

Planet celebrates milestones in unique ways:
- "First Light" Parties – When a new satellite captures its first image, teams gather (virtually or in-person) to toast the achievement.
- Impact Awards – Quarterly recognition for employees whose work directly contributed to real-world outcomes, like tracking wildfires or monitoring agricultural health.
- Hackathons & "Fail Faires" – Employees showcase experimental projects, even those that didn’t succeed, to foster a culture where risk-taking is encouraged.

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Work Environment: Flexibility, Balance, and Global Connectivity

Planet Labs understands that groundbreaking work requires a supportive, flexible environment. The company has pioneered a hybrid-first model that prioritizes both collaboration and individual well-being.

Work-Life Balance & Flexibility

- Unlimited PTO (And Employees Actually Use It)
Planet doesn’t just offer unlimited paid time off—it actively encourages employees to take it. "My manager once told me, ‘If you’re not taking at least four weeks a year, you’re not doing your best work,’" says David Kim, a propulsion engineer. "I took a month off to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and when I returned, my team had my back."
- Flexible Schedules for Global Teams
With employees across multiple continents, Planet operates on asynchronous communication principles. Meetings are recorded, documentation is thorough, and core collaboration hours are limited to ensure no one is stuck in late-night calls.
- "No-Meeting Wednesdays"
To protect deep work time, Planet blocks off Wednesdays from internal meetings, allowing engineers and scientists to focus on complex problem-solving without interruptions.

Remote & Hybrid Work Done Right

- Home Office Stipends – Employees receive budgets to set up ergonomic workspaces, whether at home or in Planet’s offices.
- Global "Hubs" for Collaboration – While remote work is fully supported, Planet maintains innovation hubs in San Francisco, Berlin, and D.C., designed for spontaneous collaboration with open lab spaces, satellite mockups, and data visualization walls.
- Virtual Coffee Chats & "Lunch & Learns"
To maintain connection, Planet hosts randomized virtual coffee pairings and weekly talks where employees share expertise—from orbital mechanics deep dives to climate science discussions.

Time Off That Matters

- Parental Leave – 16 weeks fully paid for all parents, with phased return options.
- Mental Health Days – Employees can take up to five additional paid days off per year for mental well-being, no questions asked.
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO) – 40 hours annually to support causes employees care about, from environmental conservation to STEM education.

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Values & Innovation: Moving Fast Without Breaking Things (Or Satellites)

Planet’s culture is built on five core values that guide every decision, from satellite design to customer interactions:

1. Think Like an Owner – Employees are encouraged to take initiative, whether it’s optimizing a propulsion system or proposing a new data product.
2. Bias Toward Action – In the fast-moving space industry, speed matters. Planet’s "launch fast, iterate faster" mentality means prototypes are tested in weeks, not years.
3. Data-Driven Decisions – From engineering to business strategy, Planet relies on evidence over intuition, leveraging its own satellite data to inform choices.
4. Global Impact, Local Action – While the mission is planetary-scale, employees are empowered to drive change in their communities.
5. Radical Transparency – Leadership shares company metrics, challenges, and successes in weekly all-hands meetings.

Innovation Culture: Where Failure is a Lesson, Not a Setback

- "The Museum of Failures" – A (virtual) hall of fame for projects that didn’t work—but taught valuable lessons. One exhibit: an early satellite deployment mechanism that failed in thermal testing, leading to a complete redesign that now flies on every Planet satellite.
- 20% Time for Passion Projects
Engineers and scientists can dedicate one day a week to experimental projects. This led to breakthroughs like Planet’s AI-powered change detection algorithms, now a core product.
- Cross-Disciplinary "Tiger Teams"
When a complex problem arises—like optimizing satellite tasking for wildfire detection—Planet assembles short-term, high-impact teams with members from engineering, data science, and mission ops. "We solved a six-month problem in six weeks," says Priya Mehta, who led one such team.

Knowledge Sharing: Learning at the Speed of Orbit

- Internal "Planet University" – A library of courses on everything from orbital mechanics to machine learning for geospatial data, taught by employees.
- Peer Code Reviews & "Tech Talks"
Engineers regularly present their work, fostering a culture of continuous feedback and improvement.
- Open-Door Policy with Leadership
CEO Will Marshall holds monthly "Ask Me Anything" sessions, and executives are accessible on Slack for real-time discussions.

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Diversity & Inclusion: A Global Team for a Global Mission

Planet’s mission—using space to help life on Earth—requires diverse perspectives. The company is committed to building a workforce that reflects the planet it observes.

Diversity by the Numbers (2023)

- 40% of leadership roles held by women or non-binary individuals.
- 35% of technical roles filled by underrepresented minorities.
- Employees from 30+ countries, speaking over 20 languages.

Inclusion in Action

- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Women in Aerospace @ Planet – Hosts mentorship circles and advocacy programs.
- Planet Pride – Leads LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts and partners with outreach programs like oSTEM.
- Planet Earth – Focuses on environmental justice and sustainability initiatives.
- Bias Mitigation in Hiring
Planet uses structured interviews and blinded resume reviews to reduce unconscious bias. "We don’t just hire for skills—we hire for potential and diverse thought," says Lisa Nguyen, Head of People.
- Global Cultural Exchange
Planet’s "Culture Share" program pairs employees from different countries to exchange traditions, cuisines, and workplace norms. "I learned so much about German engineering precision from my Berlin colleague—it changed how I approach problem-solving," shares Carlos Rivera, a mission planner in D.C.

Recent DEI Achievements

- 2023 "Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality" – Human Rights Campaign.
- 50% increase in Black and Latinx hires in technical roles over the past two years.
- Partnership with Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) – Planet sponsors internships and scholarships for students in aerospace and data science.

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Community & Impact: Beyond the Stars, Into the World

Planet doesn’t just observe Earth—it actively works to protect it. The company’s culture extends beyond its walls through philanthropy, sustainability, and industry leadership.

Industry & Education Outreach

- Planet for Education – Provides free satellite data access to universities and K-12 schools for climate research and STEM projects.
- Conference Leadership – Planet employees regularly speak at SATCON, SmallSat, and COP (UN Climate Change Conference), sharing insights on space sustainability and Earth observation.
- Women in Aerospace Mentorship – Planet partners with The Brooke Owens Fellowship to mentor women and gender-minority students entering aerospace careers.

Philanthropy & Sustainability

- 1% for the Planet – Planet donates 1% of its time, equity, and profits to environmental causes.
- Carbon-Neutral Operations – All Planet facilities run on renewable energy, and the company offsets its launch emissions through carbon capture partnerships.
- Disaster Response Initiatives – During crises like hurricanes or wildfires, Planet prioritizes satellite tasking for relief organizations, providing critical data to first responders.

Recent Recognitions

- 2023 Fast Company "Most Innovative Companies" – For advancements in AI-driven Earth observation.
- 2022 Geospatial World Leadership Award – For democratizing access to satellite data.
- Certified B Corporation – Planet meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance.

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Join the Mission: Your Career in Space Starts Here

Planet Labs isn’t just a company—it’s a movement to use space for good. Whether you're an aerospace engineer, data scientist, mission operator, or business strategist, you’ll find a culture that values innovation, inclusion, and impact.

🚀 Explore careers at Planet Labs and help shape the future of Earth observation:
Visit Planet’s Careers Page

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Planet Labs: Seeing the whole. Changing the world. 🌍✨