Field Support Engineer - Government Aviation

Viasat; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 121,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a field support representative to assist US DOD customers around Oklahoma City, installing and testing gear and supporting operations. You will work within a 24/7 team alongside engineers and program staff, ensuring configuration integrity and rapid issue resolution.

The role requires SATCOM/IP expertise, DoD familiarity, strong communication, and the ability to travel up to 50%. Onsite work at Tinker AFB, OK with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience with IP-based military or commercial SATCOM systems.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting routers, switches, firewalls, and IP encryption devices.
• Fundamental knowledge of satellite communications and RF transmission theory.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to support 24/7 on-call responsibilities.
• US Government position; US citizenship required.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide frontline support for US DOD customers and monitor field equipment 24/7.
• Train system operators, create/update work orders, and generate field service reports.
• Maintain detailed status reports and contribute to recurring meetings with teams.
• Stay current on software and hardware releases; document configurations and issues.
• Collaborate with program management, systems, software, RF, electrical and mechanical engineers.

Skills

SATCOM IP

IP Networking

Satellite communications

RF theory

Verbal & written comms

Troubleshooting

Ticketing

US Citizenship

On-call readiness

Education

Associate's degree in a technical field

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Job description

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we are 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 are 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 purpose of this role is to provide direct support for US DOD customers located in the greater Oklahoma City area. As a field support representative, you will install and test communications equipment prior to, as well as monitoring the systems during operations. You will be an authority on the satellite terminal operation, the customer’s suite of equipment, in-depth SATCOM theory, product specific theory, and practical applications. As a member of a 24/7 support team, you will work closely with our operations team in Carlsbad, CA and distributed remote field service engineers, promoting a strong team environment. You will provide frontline support and be the liaison for other Viasat teams from multiple subject areas such as program management, systems, software, RF, electrical and mechanical engineers as well as configuration management, production, test and technical publications staff.

The day-to-day

As a key team member, constant communication is essential as you maintain a direct link to the customer to support their critical mission. You will train the system operators, routinely create and update work order tickets, provide detailed field service reports, weekly status reports, and contribute at recurring meetings. You remain current on the latest software and hardware releases, monitor and report on potential latent defects, and customer use cases. Excellent customer service is a high priority as you proactively update customer application notes, document customer equipment configurations, maintain a terminal configuration database and improve the knowledge base to support the growth and development of the team. You routinely use various network access and monitoring tools to obtain current and historical information on flights of interest and will parse log files and logically solve service or performance issues.

What You'll Need

• 3+ years' experience with IP-based military or commercial SATCOM systems
• Proven experience working with IP/Networking devices, including configuration, application and troubleshooting of routers, switches, ASA/Firewalls, and IP encryption devices
• Fundamental knowledge of satellite communications and RF transmission theory
• Solid verbal and written communication skills
• Strategic, critical and analytical problem-solving skills
• Thrive in high pressure situations and talk to customers professionally
• Ticketing systems experience and desire to meticulously document all activities
• Willingness to support 24/7 on-call responsibilities
• SEC + CE (must be certified within 180 days of accepting role)
• Associate's degree in a technical field or equivalent work experience
• US Government position. US citizenship required
• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• Ability to travel up to 50%

This role is contingent upon award and will be onsite at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, OK

What Will Help You On The Job

• Advocate for and drive a positive team environment
• Experience with mobile broadband communications, tracking antennas, test equipment, electronic principles and communications theory
• Experience with airborne communications as Communications Systems Operator, Airborne Maintenance Technician, Airborne Systems Engineer, or Radar/Comm/Mission Operator (i.e. 1A3x1 or 1A1x4/x8)
• Experience with Linux command line environment
• Experience creating technical user documentation, training material, service bulletins and procedures
• Experience working with multiple engineering teams; software, hardware, mechanical, RF, test
• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent work experience

Salary range

$120,500.00 - $190,000.00 / 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 $149,500.00- $224,500.00/ 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.