Communications Systems Staff Engineer

Viasat; Carlsbad, Germantown, Independence Township (CA, MD, OH); On-site; USD 142,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Communications Systems Staff Engineer to join its engineering team in the US. The role focuses on developing next-generation satellite systems for GEO and NGSO constellations and ground systems, including end-to-end architecture, analysis, and verification of communications systems.

You will contribute to system design, performance assessment, and cross-functional collaboration, with travel up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in communications systems, coding theory, estimation theory, control theory, signal processing, and modern system architectures.
• Proven ability to design, develop, integrate, and test complex communications systems.
• Experience leading technical efforts across disciplines, including system analysis and engineering trade-off decisions.
• Strong systems-thinking skills balancing performance, reliability, cost, and operational requirements.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including presenting technical recommendations and review findings.
• Ability to work independently from broad objectives while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, influencing decisions through analysis, innovation, and sound engineering judgment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field, or equivalent practical experience; advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Work within a focused team to propose, develop, simulate, analyze, and test various systems and subsystems used for wireless satellite communications systems.
• Support and react to industry standardization activities such as 3GPP as needed.
• Create and maintain RF or optical link budgets and estimate overall link and system capacity.
• Develop and analyze specification and requirements.
• Work autonomously and collaboratively within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, where quick turnarounds are essential to team success.
• Documentation responsibilities encompass managing requirements using Jama, fulfilling tasks documented in Jira, and preparing and reviewing design documents.
• Participate in peer reviews of software, hardware, and architecture.

Skills

Communications systems

Coding theory

Estimation theory

Control theory

Signal processing

Modern system architectures

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Written and verbal communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Jama

Jira

MATLAB

Python

Claude code

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

We are looking for a Communications Systems Staff Engineer to join our Engineering team! As a Communications Systems Staff Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in developing next generation satellite systems for GEO and NGSO satellite constellations and ground systems. This position entails actively contributing to the development of systems including end-to-end architecture, analysis, simulation, and verification of both standards-based and customized communication systems. You will be a part of a group responsible for the performance of our current and future systems. The position centers on end-to-end system design.

The day-to-day

• Work within a focused team to propose, develop, simulate, analyze, and test various systems and subsystems used for wireless satellite communications systems.
• Support and react to industry standardization activities such as 3GPP as needed.
• Create and maintain RF or optical link budgets and estimate overall link and system capacity.
• Develop and analyze specification and requirements.
• Work autonomously and collaboratively within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, where quick turnarounds are essential to team success.
• Documentation responsibilities encompass managing requirements using Jama, fulfilling tasks documented in Jira, and preparing and reviewing design documents.
• Participate in peer reviews of software, hardware, and architecture.

What you'll need

• Deep expertise in communications systems, coding theory, estimation theory, control theory, signal processing, and modern system architectures.
• Proven ability to design, develop, integrate, and test complex communications systems.
• Experience leading technical efforts across disciplines, including system analysis and engineering trade-off decisions.
• Strong systems-thinking skills with the ability to balance performance, reliability, cost, and operational requirements.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical recommendations and review findings.
• Ability to work independently from broad objectives while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, influencing decisions through analysis, innovation, and sound engineering judgment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience; advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.

What will help you on the job

• Expertise with MATLAB or python data analysis and simulation frameworks
• Knowledge of analog and RF hardware designs, higher layer protocols, and AI/ML (artificial intelligence/machine learning)
• Experience with Jama and Jira
• Experience with Claude code

Salary range

$141,500.00 - $224,000.00 / annually. For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $176,000.00- $264,000.00/ annually

At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat’s comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.

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.