Planet
Senior Program Manager, Professional Services for Defense and Intelligence
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Senior Program Manager, Professional Services for Defense and Intelligence
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 unprecedented empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative customers across commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. By managing the full spectrum from hardware design to software engineering, we combine the unique expertise of a space company and a data company.
Our global teams use Planet’s data to develop technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve the world’s challenges. We are a people-centric company with a mission-driven culture that prioritizes adapting our processes to empower and support employees for sustained success.
Join us as part of our journey to change how people perceive and interact with our planet. We welcome applications from talent worldwide, operating remotely from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.
About the Role
The Senior Program Manager, Professional Services for Defense and Intelligence is an experienced technologist who guides the strategic direction and execution of one or several cross-project/stream teams. This leadership role focuses on anticipating challenges, guiding solutions, and ensuring global customers achieve optimum outcomes with Planet’s product ecosystem. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of technical expertise and customer success, delivering high-value engagements tailored to defense and intelligence mission requirements.
This is a full-time, hybrid role requiring you to work a minimum of 3 days per week in our Berlin, Haarlem, or London office.
Key Impact Areas
Responsibilities include:
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Team Leadership
- Oversee and mentor a team of Professional Services Solutions architects, deployment strategists, and Software Engineers.
- Champion team processes such as agile development, test-driven development, and CICD practices.
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Customer Success & Strategy
- Align Defense and Intelligence clients’ mission needs with Planet’s geospatial/data solutions.
- Guide cross-functional teams in multi-year project delivery (6–12 months) to meet timelines, budgets, and technical requirements.
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Technical Ownership & Risk Mitigation
- Define technical specifications, assess project risks, and implement remediation strategies.
- Maintain global trade compliance and governance across high-visibility projects.
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Talent Development & Organization Growth
- Build high-performing teams by attracting, developing, and retaining talent with diverse technical backgrounds.
- Align team structure with organization-wide goals, including workforce planning and team accountability.
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Qualifications: What You Bring
You are the ideal candidate if you possess:
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Frequency & Leadership
- 6+ years of professional experience (includes 4+ years in managerial or supervisory roles).
- Experience leading initiatives across polymorphic geospatial technologies (satellite imaging, remote sensing, cloud architecture) within national security sectors.
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Education
- Degree in GIS, Computer Science, Remote Sensing, Geography, or related field (advanced qualifications preferred).
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Technical & Problem-Solving Expertise
- Advanced understanding of geospatial data, AI/ML applications, and cloud scalability to:
- Tailor solutions for Defense & Intelligence
- Drive efficiency across complex workflows
- Proven ability to apply problem-solving skills toward unambiguous, mission-critical opportunities.
- Advanced understanding of geospatial data, AI/ML applications, and cloud scalability to:
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Customer & Strategic Influence
- Experience negotiating with executives to C-level stakeholders to ensure buy-in and compliance.
- Track record in high-stakes program delivery where precision, execution, and adaptation are paramount.
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Soft Skills
- Crystal clear communication, negotiation prowess, and team-building, with a focus on retention and career growth.
- Proactiveness in cultural inclusion initiatives and compliance frameworks.
Differentiating Factors: Why We Stand Out as Candidates for You
This role exemplifies what your work culture values most if you:
- Have 5+ years of technical experience specifically in geospatial/PROS with Enterprise Defense & Intelligence clients.
- Mastery of QGIS, ArcGIS/Esri tools, GDAL, or similar (preferred), alongside cloud-based geospatial analysis workflows.
- License to work with complex security: Key considerations include active/oleanability to obtain a State Security Clearance (preferred, but not mandatory if willing to commit to the process).
- Community Contributions: Demonstrated ability to lead workshops, accelerate uptimes during training phases, or design tangible methodological procedures.
Application Deadline: September 29, 2026, by 23:59 CET
Benefits While Joining Planet
| Offers | Details |
|---|---|
| Work-Life Balance | Paid time off (vacation, company-off days), flexible remote/hybrid schedules |
| Wellbeing Features | Tailored Employee Wellness Program with resources for mental and physical health |
| Financial Support | Monthly reimbursements for home office setup and phone/internet expenses |
| Personal Growth | Digital learning via LinkedIn Learning; tuition support |
| Team Culture | Equity access, volunteer paid leave to connect and shape community |
| Consultative Modalities | Adapt to local legal/ ) employment norms |
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Planetary Difference Statement: Our Belonging Commitment
At Planet, we belong to communities because we actively represent and invest in them. We recognize each individual’s unique journey and celebrate it within our inclusive ecosystem. This role invites those passionate about innovation + mission-driven collaboration from careers and cultures not traditionally linked to geospatial tech. Do apply—your strengths may highlight talents or insights not reflected in the working description.
EEO Commitment Notice
Planet reaffirms its equal opportunity stance to foster a workplace that reflects diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise. We comply with all applicable U.S. state, federal, and local laws respecting protection against discrimination, including for reasons related to race, gender identity, veteran/active-duty status, sexual orientation,, and other essential classification categories.
For accommodations during application processes (or disability-related accommodations), please email accommodations@planet.com.
Candidate Privacy Notice: Applying presumes agreement with these data notices linked below:
US Applicants & Employees — Completes California staff members recruitment data collection requirements
European Applicants — Fully adheres to GDPR policies
Use of AI in Our Recruitment Process:
In alignment with our commitment to a fair hiring environment, Planet currently employs live recording and transcription during select interviews via Metaview to focus on candidate quality, not note-taking. As a consent requirement, you hereby agree to recorded sessions:
- We authorize taking notes post-interview using Planet’s AI Technologies for summarization.
- Validated opt-outs available in advance/realtime for live interview technology.
Using unauthorized tools (e.g. LLM, deepfake technology) during finalist interviews/assessments will invalidating your candidacy. For permitted accommodations related to AI-needs (e.g. complementary tools), please act directly with accommodations@planet.com or your assigned recruiter.
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