Principal System Engineer, Aero & Maritime Safety

RigNet; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading communications company is seeking a Principal System Engineer to focus on aviation and maritime safety communication systems. This role involves designing requirements, producing system concepts, and managing suppliers. The ideal candidate has a degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering with over 5 years of relevant experience. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Performance-based bonus

Equity opportunities

Full range of benefits

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience required.
• Strong understanding of satellite or mobile communications systems.
• Ability to adapt in a dynamic working environment.

Responsibilities

• Compile system design requirements for safety service developments.
• Produce system concepts and conduct trade-off studies.
• Define/refine operational model for service introduction readiness.

Skills

Telecommunications technologies

System engineering

Analytical skills

Inter-personal skills

Autonomy

Troubleshooting

Education

Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or Communications science

Tools

Networking technology

IPSec

Programming languages

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 Principal System Engineer, Aero & Maritime Safety will work within a small team within the Engineering Integration and Delivery group who are responsible for all engineering aspects from initial concept to introduction of service of Aviation and Maritime Safety communication systems.

The postholder will focus on the evolution of Viasat’s SwiftBroadband Safety infrastructure, from a satcom terminal and network systems perspective, based on a detailed understanding of the new and emerging communications and surveillance requirements for Air Traffic Management. The postholder will play a key role in defining the end-to-end architecture of a hybrid safety service terminal (GEO + LEO) for both aero and maritime sectors.

The role requires close working with industry partners within and outside the Iris consortium, including aircraft manufacturers (i.e. Airbus and Boeing), avionics suppliers, and air traffic communication service providers that operate ground connectivity for ATC centres, airline operational services, and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). Additionally, working with the regulators who set the communication and surveillance requirements. The role will represent Viasat as a technical subject matter expert in meetings with suppliers and partners and must be capable of dealing confidently with experts in similar and adjacent disciplines.

Viasat, Inc. seeks an experienced principal systems engineer for this role within the Engineering Integration and Delivery group, in close cooperation with the IRIS Program Manager, the Aviation Business Unit (Airline Operational Services and Advanced Air Mobility) and the Maritime Business Unit (maritime safety). This position provides a competitive salary, performance-based bonus [and equity opportunities], and a full range of benefits.

The day-to-day

• Compile system design requirements for next generation safety service developments, including new satcom terminal designs and architectures, this also includes urban advanced air mobility (AAM).
• Produce system concepts and candidate architectures, and conduct trade-off studies.
• Create detailed design specifications/supplier Statements of Work for use in competitive procurements for evolution of Viasat’s infrastructure.
• Lead the definition of technical solutions, and compile costs and benefits for internal business cases.
• Manage suppliers for implementation, verification, and change management of the satcom network aero and maritime safety infrastructure.
• Define/refine the operational model in planning for service introduction readiness, initial operations (e.g. customer Beta testing), and in-life service management metrics (KPIs) needed to demonstrate compliance with performance standards.
• Manage the Commercial Service Introduction (CSI) of new aero and maritime safety satcom products and services
• Form strong technical relationships with peers at satcom avionic manufacturers, airframers, ESA, and Viasat service providers.
• Support to aviation industry avionics systems standardisation at ICAO, AEEC, RTCA, and EUROCAE industry groups, maintaining a constant watching brief on ATM regulatory technical developments and evolving system requirements pertaining to both satcom networks and terminals.

What you'll need

• Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Computer or Communications science or equivalent and 5+ years of relevant professional experience
• Technically fluent in telecommunications technologies, an understanding of IP-based mobile networking technologies, and ideally an understanding of satellite or mobile communications systems
• Strong analytical capability, able to conduct system engineering and technology trade-offs
• Strong inter-personal skills including the ability to establish and maintain relationships and trust
• Ability to work in a complex, international matrix organization alongside 3rd-parties
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Positive and energetic attitude.
• Capability to work autonomously as well as being a self-starter and self-motivated
• Honest, Respectful and Patient.
• Ability to adapt and change in a dynamic working environment.

What will help you on the job

• Knowledge of networking technology including routers, switches, and firewalls
• Knowledge of IT security practices including IPSec and PKI
• Good knowledge of software development and engineering techniques
• Experience in the identification and capture of IT functional and non-functional requirements for large, complex projects
• Experience of data mining and analytics techniques
• Knowledge of Viasat and other satellite communications systems.
• Avionics development experience
• Knowledge of aeronautical Air Traffic Service standards and processes; ICAO, ARINC, RTCA, EUROCAE, certification, especially Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN), and existing Air Traffic DataLink Service standards.

Work location

UK or Europe

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.