Device Platform Product Manager

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 213,000 - 336,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is building a next-generation Direct-to-Device (D2D) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) platform and seeks a Device Platform Product Manager to define device, module, and terminal platform requirements for scalable, high-performance D2D services. You will own hardware and subsystem requirements across modem, RF front end, WLAN, GPS, memory, and mechanical constraints.

This role sits at the intersection of product strategy, hardware platform architecture, RF/system tradeoffs, and ecosystem

Qualifications

• Significant experience in product management and/or hardware platform leadership for wireless devices, modules, or terminals.
• Deep understanding of RF front end design, modem/platform integration, and device-level tradeoffs for cellular systems.
• Experience defining hardware features and requirements across multi-disciplinary subsystems.
• Strong working knowledge of 5G NR, LTE, modem systems, RF systems, and related 3GPP-driven device requirements.
• Experience working across cross-functional teams including engineering, program management, and ecosystem partners.
• Ability to make disciplined tradeoffs among performance, cost, and implementation feasibility.

Responsibilities

• Define product requirements and feature roadmaps for D2D NTN devices, terminals, modules, and related hardware platforms, including capability priorities, supported bands, interfaces, and product assumptions.
• Translate platform goals into clear hardware and subsystem requirements spanning modem, RF front end, WLAN, GPS, memory, power, and mechanical considerations.
• Partner with platform, systems, and engineering teams to sequence features based on technical readiness, ecosystem dependencies, and commercial priorities.
• Own terminal- and module-level requirements for D2D NTN use cases, including RF architecture, supported 5G/LTE capabilities, hardware constraints, and integration assumptions.
• Define requirements for LGA modules, customer premises equipment, mobile hotspots, and other device forms as appropriate for the platform roadmap.
• Drive technical tradeoffs across performance, power, cost, thermal, component availability, and implementation feasibility.
• Lead cross-functional alignment across RF systems, modem systems, antenna teams, hardware engineering, software, test, and program management to converge on device architecture and product scope.
• Work with chipset vendors, OEMs, module vendors, and internal teams to evaluate feasible implementations and support productization decisions.
• Guide key design and requirement decisions related to RF front end architecture, modem integration, subsystem selection, and product platform scalability.
• Develop product inputs for RFPs/RFQs and help shape commercially viable device and module offerings.
• Conduct or guide BoM-level tradeoff analysis to balance cost, performance, and market needs.
• Support customer and partner engagement with technically grounded product positioning, requirement framing, and execution planning.
• Partner with engineering and test teams to define validation goals, readiness criteria, and performance measures for terminal platforms.
• Support design reviews, trade studies, lab bring-up, and issue triage related to device performance, RF optimization, and platform readiness.
• Help ensure the device/platform roadmap is grounded in real implementation constraints and performance targets.

Skills

Product management

Hardware platform leadership

RF systems knowledge

5G/LTE knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Tradeoff analysis

Education

Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

BoM analysis

RF test equipment

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

Viasat is building a next-generation Direct-to-Device (D2D) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) platform that integrates satellite and terrestrial cellular technologies. We are seeking a Device Platform Product Manager to join our Platform Product Management team and lead the definition of device, module, and terminal platform requirements that enable scalable, high-performance D2D services. This role focuses on the hardware and terminal side of the platform, complementing the ground infrastructure architecture focus of the existing Ground Infrastructure Solutions Architect role.

This role sits at the intersection of product strategy, hardware platform architecture, RF and system tradeoffs, and ecosystem execution. You will drive product requirements for modules and terminals, align with chipset, OEM, and vendor ecosystems, and help translate platform goals into deployable device capabilities spanning modem, RF front end, WLAN, GPS, memory, and mechanical constraints.

This role is central to ensuring Viasat’s D2D NTN platform has a credible, scalable, and commercially viable device strategy—from terminal requirements and component choices to ecosystem alignment and platform readiness. While the existing Ground Infrastructure Solutions Architect role shapes the network-side and interworking architecture, this role ensures the device and module side of the platform is equally well-defined and executable.

The day-to-day

Device Platform Definition & Roadmap

• Define product requirements and feature roadmaps for D2D NTN devices, terminals, modules, and related hardware platforms, including capability priorities, supported bands, interfaces, and product assumptions.
• Translate platform goals into clear hardware and subsystem requirements spanning modem, RF front end, WLAN, GPS, memory, power, and mechanical considerations.
• Partner with platform, systems, and engineering teams to sequence features based on technical readiness, ecosystem dependencies, and commercial priorities.

Terminal / Module Architecture & Requirements

• Own terminal- and module-level requirements for D2D NTN use cases, including RF architecture, supported 5G/LTE capabilities, hardware constraints, and integration assumptions.
• Define requirements for LGA modules, customer premises equipment, mobile hotspots, and other device forms as appropriate for the platform roadmap.
• Drive technical tradeoffs across performance, power, cost, thermal, component availability, and implementation feasibility.

RF, Modem, and Hardware Ecosystem Leadership

• Lead cross-functional alignment across RF systems, modem systems, antenna teams, hardware engineering, software, test, and program management to converge on device architecture and product scope.
• Work with chipset vendors, OEMs, module vendors, and internal teams to evaluate feasible implementations and support productization decisions.
• Guide key design and requirement decisions related to RF front end architecture, modem integration, subsystem selection, and product platform scalability.

Commercial & Product Execution

• Develop product inputs for RFPs/RFQs and help shape commercially viable device and module offerings.
• Conduct or guide BoM-level tradeoff analysis to balance cost, performance, and market needs.
• Support customer and partner engagement with technically grounded product positioning, requirement framing, and execution planning.

Validation, Readiness, and Performance

• Partner with engineering and test teams to define validation goals, readiness criteria, and performance measures for terminal platforms.
• Support design reviews, trade studies, lab bring-up, and issue triage related to device performance, RF optimization, and platform readiness.
• Help ensure the device/platform roadmap is grounded in real implementation constraints and performance targets.

What you'll need

• Significant experience in product management and/or hardware platform leadership for wireless devices, modules, or terminals.
• Deep understanding of RF front end design, modem/platform integration, and device-level tradeoffs for cellular systems.
• Experience defining hardware features and requirements across multi-disciplinary subsystems.
• Strong working knowledge of 5G NR, LTE, modem systems, RF systems, and related 3GPP-driven device requirements.
• Experience working across cross-functional teams including engineering, program management, and ecosystem partners.
• Ability to make disciplined tradeoffs among performance, cost, and implementation feasibility.

What will help you on the job

• Experience with NR-NTN, satellite-related device requirements, or adjacent satellite/cellular integration topics.
• Direct experience with LGA modules, CPE, mobile hotspots, or similar connected device categories.
• Experience with RFP/RFQ development, component selection, and BoM analysis.
• Familiarity with RF and lab validation environments, including test equipment and performance characterization workflows.
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Salary range

$212,500.00 - $335,500.00 / 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 $264,000.00- $396,000.00/ 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.