About the Role :
Planet is currently seeking a Lead Cost Analyst / Cost Engineering Manager to join our team in San Francisco, CA. Join our high-impact Supply Chain organization and serve as a crucial link between our engineering, manufacturing, and financial planning teams. This role demands a unique blend of financial expertise and technical acumen to drive product profitability from initial concept through mass production. You will be the primary owner of our product and project costing models, responsible for ensuring financial discipline, supporting key investment decisions, and ultimately improving our unit economics. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy translating complex technical plans into clear financial outcomes, this is the role for you.
This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office at least 3 days per week.
Impact You'll Own :
Lead Cost Estimation & Modeling :
- Review project plans and specifications to develop accurate and reliable cost estimates for key projects.
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to model product and production costs across development stages (e.g., Bill of Materials (BOM), tooling, labor, overhead).
- Translate engineering and production plans into financially rigorous build and ramp scenarios, identifying financial risks and reallocation opportunities.
Cost Control & Financial Strategy :
Collaborate with program managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure the effective execution of cost control measures throughout the lifecycle of projects.Drive marginal cost analysis and margin forecasts for new and existing products.Drive cost‑down roadmaps in collaboration with Design, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing, identifying levers to improve unit economics.Strategic Financial Support & Analysis :
Support cross‑functional trade‑off decisions—such as make vs. buy, tooling investments, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) options—with clear financial impact analysis.Perform ad hoc analysis as requested to support various leadership initiatives and strategic decisions.Planning & Reporting :
Own the forecast and budget cycles for manufacturing and engineering spend areas, ensuring transparency and accountability across teams.Build financial dashboards and tooling to improve visibility into BOM drivers, absorption trends, and program‑level cost performance.What You Bring :
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.10+ years of experience in a cost engineering, financial analysis, or program finance role, preferably supporting an Aerospace hardware, manufacturing, or consumer electronics environment.Solid foundational understanding of manufacturing processes, product lifecycle management (PLM), and cost accounting principles (e.g., standard costing, variance analysis).Exceptional analytical and financial modeling skills, with expertise in building complex, multi-variable cost models.Advanced proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and Microsoft Excel.What Makes You Stand Out :
Experience working on Bus systems, Fabricated Metals, Printed Circuit Boards or Optical payloads in a technical or procurement analyst capacity.Thorough understanding of PLM systems like Arena, Teamcenter etc.Ability to analyze and manage complex structured BOMs and configurations.Ability to manage conflicting priorities with frequent context switching.MBA or advanced degree is a plus.Ability to influence cross‑functional teams without direct reporting authority.Application Deadline :
March 1, 2026 at 11 : 59pm PST
Benefits While Working at Planet :
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plansHealth Savings Account (HSA) with a company contributionGenerous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company‑wide days off16 Weeks of Paid Parental LeaveWellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Home Office ReimbursementMonthly Phone and Internet ReimbursementTuition Reimbursement and access to LearningEquityCommuter Benefits (if local to an office)Volunteering Paid Time OffCompensation :
The US base salary range for this full‑time position at the commencement of employment is listed below. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short‑term and long‑term incentives (bonus and equity). The final salary range is determined by job related experience, skills and location. The range displays our typical hiring range for new hire salaries in US locations only. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
San Francisco Salary Range $128,400 — $160,500 USD
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 accommodations@planet.com or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.
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