Principal Systems Engineer - Product Development

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

Job summary

Viasat in Farnborough is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead technical efforts on advanced security devices. You will manage technical requirements and guide a skilled development team from concept to deployment.

Ideal candidates have over 7 years of experience in defence or aerospace sectors, a relevant engineering degree, and proven system-level thinking. The role demands interaction with defence customers, making strong communication skills essential.

Exceptional problem-solving skills and familiarity with defence standards will aid your success.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in the defence, aerospace, or space sectors.
• Track record of delivering complex technical solutions.
• Strong system-level thinking across various disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical definition and delivery of security devices.
• Manage technical requirements across all engineering disciplines.
• Guide development team throughout the product lifecycle.

Skills

System Architecture & Definition

Requirements Engineering

Engineering Leadership

Lifecycle & Qualification

Customer Discussions

Education

Degree in Engineering, Electronic Design, Computer Science, Physics

Tools

IBM DOORS

SysML

UML

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

At Viasat UK our team provides industry leading, government approved Data at Rest encryption solutions to government and defence organisations, globally. Our capability extends into multiple systems and platforms within a myriad of domains, providing versatile projects and exciting opportunities. Viasat UK is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the technical definition and delivery of our advanced security devices and work across multiple Information Assurance development projects.

Are you an exceptional Senior Systems Engineer ready to step up into a Principal role? Or a highly technical Electronics/Software Engineer looking to claim full architectural ownership of a physical product line? This is a high‑visibility, hands‑on role where you will define product features, architect end‑to‑end solutions, and serve as the Technical Lead on key projects. You will work side‑by‑side with our Technical Project Managers to guide a skilled team of electronics, FPGA, software, and mechanical engineers from concept to deployment.

The Day‑to‑Day

• System Architecture & Definition: Act as the technical authority for product features, system behavior, and inter‑disciplinary design trade‑offs.
• Requirements Engineering: Lead the elicitation, structuring, and management of technical requirements using tools like IBM DOORS across all engineering disciplines.
• Engineering Leadership: Guide the development team throughout the product lifecycle, spotting technical risks early, investigating root causes, and driving them to resolution.
• Lifecycle & Qualification: Oversee full product verification, validation, and complex environmental qualification processes from concept to customer acceptance.
• Bids & Estimates: Support the commercial team by producing robust engineering estimates for competitive bid activities.
• Customer Discussions: Interface directly with defence customers to clarify or modify requirements and ensure the developed product satisfies the end need.

What You’ll Need

• Background: 7+ years of experience in the defence, aerospace, or space sectors developing physical electronic/software products.
• Education: A degree‑level qualification in Engineering, Electronic Design, Computer Science, Physics, or a relevant technical field.
• Experience: Proven track record of delivering complex technical solutions across the systems engineering lifecycle (including requirements management, system design, architecture, and verification).
• Skills: Strong system‑level thinking with the ability to easily converse with specialists across hardware, software, FPGA, and mechanical domains.
• Communication: Elite technical documentation skills and the confidence to negotiate technical requirements directly with defence customers.
• Nationality & Security: Due to UK eyes‑only projects, candidates must hold sole British Nationality and hold, or be eligible to achieve, UK DV Clearance.

What Will Help You On The Job

• Ability to handle complexity, uncertainty, and competing program demands.
• Demonstrable experience of problem‑solving skills and applying system‑level thinking.
• Proficiency with system design languages (e.g., SysML, UML) and techniques (e.g., use case analysis, trade studies).
• Direct experience with defence standards (e.g., DEF STAN, MIL‑STD) for environmental and EMC testing.
• Experience estimating engineering hours and writing technical proposals for bid activities.
• Familiarity with the NCSC CAPS assurance process.

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.