Lifecycle Costing Engineer

Viasat; Australia; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat Australia is seeking a Lifecycle Cost Engineer to lead life cycle costing for our ASDEFCON SATCOM sustainment program. You will bridge engineering design, reliability, maintenance and field operations to inform cost-driven decisions.

The role requires 8+ years in life cycle costing in a defence environment, strong data analytics, and experience with cost models, RAM analysis, LORA, and ILS artefacts. An NV1 security clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Detail oriented with ability to multitask and prioritise.
• Ability to interpret cost data and present results clearly.
• High accountability and self-starter attitude.
• Experience with cost models, data analytics, RAM, LORA, or provisioning analysis.
• Systecon – OPUS Suite experience.
• Active NV1 Security Clearance and ITAR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Design, update, and implement Life Cycle Cost models for satellite ground stations.
• Evaluate and quantify total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Develop ILS artefacts including ILS Plans, LORA, RAM, provisioning and CDRLs
• Analyse field data, warranty data, and service histories to identify major lifecycle cost drivers.
• Collaborate with maintenance and service teams to validate labour times and intervals.
• Support development of optimized preventative maintenance and component replacement strategies.
• Provide lifecycle cost inputs to pricing, commercial, and customer analyses.
• Prepare clear, data-driven reports and presentations.

Skills

Life cycle costing

RAM modelling

Data analysis

Cost modelling

Systecon OPUS Suite

NV1 Security Clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, or related field

Tools

Systecon – OPUS Suite

Job description

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What you'll do

The Lifecycle Cost Engineer is responsible for the successful execution and completion of multi-discipline technology projects to support a complex ASDEFCON SATCOM sustainment program.

This role bridges engineering design, reliability, maintenance, and field operations to ensure that design and business decisions are informed by accurate life cycle cost data. By quantifying cost drivers such as component replacement intervals, maintenance downtime, and overhaul strategies, the Lifecycle Cost Engineer supports optimized product designs, improved customer value, and reduced total operating costs.

The day-to-day

What’s the day-to-day like for this candidate?

• Design, update, and implement Life Cycle Cost (LCC) models for satellite ground stations, including key components and systems.
• Evaluate and quantify total cost of ownership (TCO), covering capital investment, maintenance labour, parts usage, equipment downtime, rebuild programs, and end-of-life factors.
• Development of ILS artefacts including ILS Plans, LORA, RAM, provisioning and CDRLs
• Analyse field data, warranty data, and service histories to identify major lifecycle cost drivers and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with maintenance and service teams to validate labour times, maintenance intervals, tooling requirements, and rebuild strategies.
• Support development of optimized preventative maintenance and component replacement strategies based on lifecycle cost trade-offs.
• Provide lifecycle cost inputs to pricing, commercial, and customer-facing analyses as required.
• Prepare clear, data-driven reports and presentations that communicate lifecycle cost insights to technical and non-technical partners.
• Continuously improve LCC methodologies, assumptions, and data quality through benchmarking and best practices.
• Monitor in-service performance and update cost models to reflect real-world operating conditions.

What you'll need

• BS degree in Engineering, Finance, or related field; and 8+ years in life cycle costing, reliability engineering, maintenance engineering, or cost analysis in defence environment.
• Detail oriented with ability to multitask, prioritise and balance multiple tasks at once
• Comfortable navigating technical or cost data with the intent of understanding the relationship between them when working a task and/or presenting results
• High degree of accountability and responsibility with the ability to be a self-starter
• Experience with and understanding of one or more of the following: cost model development, data collection and normalization, data science and analytics, systems engineering/architecture, RF engineering and finance fields.
• Experience with the Systecon – OPUS Suite.
• Experience with Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) modelling and reports, Logistics Support Analysis, Level of Repair Analysis (LORA), or Provisioning Analysis
• Active NV1 Security Clearance
• Meet International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements.

What will help you on the job

• In-depth technical understanding of satellite telecommunications processes, systems, infrastructure, and technologies.
• Advanced understanding of engineering standards, RCA (Root Cause Analysis approach) and systems engineering.
• Experience working with cost models, predictive analytics, or decision analysis
• Familiarity with working under strict safety, compliance, and procedural requirements
• Proven experience in asset management, equipment monitoring, maintenance, and safety auditing #LI-RH2

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.

Viasat actively supports a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.