Senior Cost Accountant

planetlabs

Berlin, Germany · Berlin · Germany

Posted Aug 20, 2026

Full-time
Hybrid
Accounting

Apply on company site

Job description

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 an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one.

Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.

As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains.

We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world.

Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

About the Role:

We are seeking a versatile Senior Accountant to serve as a key bridge between our newly established Berlin manufacturing facility and our US financial operations. In this dual-impact role, you will lead the cost accounting workflows and local compliance for our German entity (GmbH) while simultaneously supporting global cost accounting tasks, cross-border subsidiary reconciliations, and capital expenditure tracking. You will partner with operational leaders to establish scalable standard costing methodologies, maintain inventory integrity across multiple locations, and ensure seamless financial alignment between EMEA and US teams. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented professionals with background in multi-entity global structures who thrive in cross-functional environments.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our Berlin office 3 days per week.

Impact You’ll Own:

Partners with Berlin Operations to establish scalable cost accounting workflows, standard costing methodologies, and manufacturing time-tracking for our local production line.
Leads monthly close processes for GmbH inventory, including raw materials, WIP, and finished goods reconciliations, while overseeing physical cycle counts and analyzing adjustments.
Ensures local accounting activities comply with German GAAP (HGB), prepares cost breakdowns for German R&D tax incentives (e.g., Forschungszulage), and manages financial documentation for local government grants and subsidies.
Manages PCard reconciliations for lab equipment and flight materials while reviewing capital expenditure vs. operational expenses (CIP/Expense classifications) for the German entity.
Serves as the dedicated backup for US cost accountants during time-off, high-volume periods, and initial US-hours coverage through cross-training on US month-end workflows.
Reviews and clears consolidated transfer orders between international subsidiaries, managing movements between locations for both PBC and GmbH entities.
Maintains costs associated with satellite materials, launch, and build processes while tracking movements across inventory, WIP, and internal fixed asset materials.
Assists in labor capitalization tracking across internal software development, satellite construction, and commissioning efforts.
Performs purchase price variance (PPV), production variance, scrap, and Excess & Obsolete (E&O) analysis while preparing balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and accrued purchases/prepaid manufacturing schedules for US and EMEA operations.
Supports internal and external audits across US GAAP, local German GAAP, and SOX controls.

What You Bring:

4 to 6 years of relevant cost accounting experience in a manufacturing or high-tech operational environment.
Experience with inventory controls and multi-entity global structures.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (or a relevant German Ausbildung, e.g., Industriekaufmann/-frau, with specialized focus on accounting/controlling).
Proficiency with modern ERP systems and advanced capability in Excel or Google Sheets.
Professional fluency in both English and German.

What Makes You Stand Out:

Working knowledge of both US GAAP and German GAAP (HGB).
Direct hands-on experience with NetSuite ERP.

Application Deadline:

November 13, 2026 at 11:59p PT

Export Control Requirements:

Planet Labs Germany GmbH is authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information at Planet under an export license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security. This position requires access to U.S. and German/EU export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by German, EU, or U.S. authorities.

Benefits While Working at Planet:

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

Paid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off
Employee Wellness Program
Home Office Reimbursement
Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
Equity
Volunteering Paid Time Off

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Why we care so much about Belonging.
We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging—dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply! At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts. We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride.

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.

Privacy Policy: By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.

Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.

AI in Our Interviewing Process: Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.

Candidate AI Policy: Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact accommodations@planet.com with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.