Intern, Edge Compute at Planet in San Francisco, CA

Summary: Planet is a company that designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. They are seeking an AI/ML Intern to work on geospatial analytics and remote sensing, helping to build algorithms for next-generation satellites and enhancing their autonomous capabilities. Responsibilities: - Design and train computer vision models (object detection, segmentation, change detection) specifically optimized for satellite imagery and edge deployment - Experiment with model compression techniques—including quantization, pruning, and knowledge distillation—to ensure high-performance inference on low-power hardware - Explore algorithms that allow satellites to autonomously identify high-value targets (e.g., ships, wildfires, or cloud-free regions) to optimize tasking and downlink - Profile and validate model performance (latency, power consumption, memory footprint) on edge hardware targets like NVIDIA Jetson or similar accelerators - Assist in the curation and augmentation of "space-ready" datasets, accounting for unique orbital challenges like varying off-nadir angles and atmospheric noise - Build end-to-end prototypes that demonstrate autonomous "closed-loop" systems where ML outputs directly influence satellite actions - Partner with flight software engineers to transition research prototypes into robust, production-ready code for orbital environments - Analyze model performance and limitations in resource-constrained environments to propose iterative architectural improvements Required Qualifications: - Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field - A solid understanding of deep learning fundamentals, particularly in Computer Vision (CNNs or Vision Transformers) - Proficiency in Python and hands-on experience with at least one major ML framework (e.g., PyTorch, JAX) - The ability to break down complex problems and a strong desire to learn how to deploy models on resource-constrained hardware - Excellent communication skills with the ability to document technical workflows and explain model trade-offs (e.g., accuracy vs. speed vs power) - A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team of engineers Preferred Qualifications: - Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson devices - Previous experience with satellite imagery, GIS tools, or remote sensing data Required Skills: AI/ML, Computer Vision, Python Important Skills: Deep Learning, NVIDIA Jetson, Satellite Imagery Nice-to-Have Skills: GIS Tools, Remote Sensing, Collaborative Mindset Benefits: Commuter Benefits, Paid time off for holidays and company-wide days off, Internet reimbursement, Access to LinkedIn Learning