Innovation Manager

Viasat; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in satellite communications is seeking an Innovation Manager to drive the development of advanced aeronautical solutions. The role focuses on capability development, innovation, and subject matter expertise to enhance their AirIQ product portfolio. Ideal candidates will have experience in SD WAN technologies and strong stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in SD WAN technologies and their application in hybrid network environments.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and coordinate activities across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of market/technical requirements for multi-network solutions.
• Document the technical proposition for international government markets.
• Engage in the analysis of VIG market and technology.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Collaboration

Critical Thinking

Communication

Problem Solving

Presentation Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering discipline

Master’s degree or above preferred

Tools

MS Office

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

International Government

Viasat’s International Government business unit delivers against the requirements for voice, data and video services with demand for global availability and utmost reliability. Whether a military commander on operations, a government official responding to a local emergency or a head of state conducting international affairs, Inmarsat provides them with essential access to voice and broadband data, where and when they need it.

Primary role purpose:

The satellite industry is undergoing unprecedented changes as new entrants and technological advances fundamentally transform the market. To stay at the forefront of this fast-changing landscape, the Strategy and Growth Programmes team leads the charge for Global Government in developing and executing strategies and plans that keep Inmarsat competitive in our markets today and into the future.

One such initiative is the AirIQ product portfolio, through which the International Government seeks to expand its satellite communications business in the global aeronautical market segment. We are looking to provide a scalable and flexible beyond-line-of-sight communication solution for regional operations to disseminate mission system data in real-time from airborne platforms to key end-users. The programme is expected to deliver a compelling platform-based solution for this segment backed by a comprehensive go-to-market and capture strategy.

The Innovation Manager will be responsible for planning and delivering the capabilities under AirIQ programme, with a focus on the introduction of a multi-terminal/multi-orbit aeronautical solution.

To this end, the role holder will be focused on 3 areas:

• Capability Development - The role will enable the design and development of multi-orbit/multi-terminal aeronautical solutions, leveraging SD-WAN technologies, to meet customer requirements and create aunique competitive advantage in support of VIG’s strategy and growth programmes.
• Innovation - The role will contribute to VIGs technology evaluation and roadmap planning, engage in the collaboration between VIG and the Product Management, coordinating requirements for the development of new government aeronautical capabilities related to multi-band/orbit technologies; and externally interface with the wider industry to explore the technological applications.
• Subject Matter Expertise - The role will act as SME for the AirIQ. multi-orbit/terminal product set to i) contribute to the documentation of business cases, ii) develop product/service description documents and iii) assist with compelling storytelling and market facing collaterals.

The day-to-day

Key responsibilities:

Capability Development:

• Lead the development of market/technical requirements for multi-network/multi-terminal solutions, developed under the AirIQ programme and the wider government aeronautical market as needed.
• Lead the engagement with VIG teams and central product management teams to design an end-to-end to solution architecture for a multi-orbit/multi-terminal solutions, leveraging SD-WAN capabilities.
• Document the technical proposition for international government markets and contribute to writing up technical product requirements to support the development activities (e.g., management briefs, RFI, RFPs, etc.).
• Lead the engagement with and assure the coordination between the central product development/engineering teams and VIG to productise and deliver the defined solution.
• Communicate product updates, changes, and progress to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment between all parties involved in the product development and launch.

Innovation:

• Engage in the analysis of VIG market, strategy, technology to assist in the identification of competitive advantages it can leverage as part our developing the orchestration strategy (multi-orbit/multi-terminal system) for government aeronautical markets.
• Support the definition of the government aero product strategy & roadmap and contribute to the evaluation and feasibility assessment of growth programmes such as AirIQ
• Contribute to the business case developments to secure investments for expanding the AirIQ portfolio.
• Work with key OEMs and other third-party organisation to understand and document key developments in the market, that could enhance the proposition.

Subject Matter Expertise:

• Manage the development of product/service description document in fine and explicit details.
• Support the go to market, sales, commercial and market development teams to ensure training materials and compelling storytelling and market facing collaterals can be effectively produced.

• Work with Product Management Team to facilitate knowledge sharing on Viasat product roadmap and capabilities, and continuous enhancement of AirIQ mutli-terminal capability as well as the wider government aeronautical portfolio.

• Any other tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be required.

What you'll need

• Essential Knowledge and Skills:

  • Experience in SD WAN technologies and their application in hybrid network environments, including satcom services.
  • Good stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment and coordinate activities across functions
  • Collaborative mind-set and strong interpersonal skills
  • Ability to remain positive in high pressure and stressful situations
  • Critical thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills
  • Flexible / resourceful approach, independent problem solver
  • Strong presentation and written communication skills
  • Good computer skills in MS Office includingExcel, Word, PowerPoint
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering discipline, master’s degree or above preferred.

What will help you on the job

• Desired Knowledge and Skills:

  • Proven experience in satcom solution development, particularly for mobility markets
  • Business to government industry experience is desired.
  • Related commercial experience is bonus.

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.