Hardware Engineer - PWA / PWB Design

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 104,500 - 164,500; Full time

Job summary

Viasat, located in Carlsbad, California, is seeking an experienced hardware engineer to develop high-speed digital circuit boards for encryption systems. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and have a minimum of two years' experience in hardware design.

The role involves collaboration with various engineering teams, ensuring timely project completion, and understanding cryptographic methods. The position requires US citizenship and ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience as a hardware engineer.
• Experience with microprocessors and FPGA components.
• Ability to work with system, hardware, firmware, software, and test teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and test high-speed digital circuit boards.
• Coordinate with technology suppliers and subcontractors.
• Evaluate production versus external sourcing options.

Skills

Hardware design experience

Experience with high-speed digital circuit boards

Knowledge of encryption technologies

Proficiency with CAD software

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Mentor Graphic DxDesigner

Hyperlynx

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

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

This is a role for a professional specializing in hardware design who is eager to contribute to a small, fast‑paced team. You will help develop, document, implement, prototype, and test modern high‑speed digital circuit boards for encrypted communications systems, such as Layer 2 and Layer 3 In‑line Network Encryptors and embedded cryptographic devices.

You will interface and collaborate with system, programmable logic, application, and validation engineers as new capabilities are developed and transitioned into service.

In addition, you will provide support to production and product support to help support operational networks when support is required from development.

The day‑to‑day

• Crafting, developing initial samples, and assessing electronic circuit assemblies built for data rates up to 10GbE, incorporating central processing units, field‑programmable gate arrays, storage modules, communication, optical, and power supply components
• Build dedicated to manufacturing, assembly, and testing
• Modeling and analysis, circuit schematics, computer‑aided build, and signal propagation software tools operated using Mentor Graphic DxDesigner, Expedition/Planner, and Hyperlynx
• Skilled in operating test equipment including adjustable bench power sources, digital voltmeters, waveform viewers, protocol analyzers, eye pattern analyzers, and traffic generators
• Coordinate efforts alongside technology suppliers and subcontractors
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize tasks effectively, adhere to timelines, and carry a program through to completion
• Well‑developed organizational capabilities coupled with experience coordinating efforts across platform, equipment, embedded code, application, and quality assurance groups
• Understanding of cryptographic methods and information security technologies
• Familiarity with network communication fundamentals
• PWB build and arrangement, encompassing ideas for HS Layout
• Evaluation and comparison of options
• Evaluation of internal production versus external sourcing

What you’ll need

• 2+ Years experience as a hardware engineer.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing, prototyping, and testing high speed (up to 10GbE) digital circuit boards.
• Experience with microprocessor, FPGA, memory, networking, optical, and power supply components.
• Experience with design for manufacture, assembly, and test.
• Experience with modeling and simulation, schematic, CAD, and signal propagation software tools using Mentor Graphic DxDesigner, Expedition/Planner, and Hyperlynx.
• Proficient with test equipment - lab bench power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, eye pattern analyzers, and traffic generators.
• Work with technology suppliers and subcontractors.
• General understanding of the supply chain process.
• The ability to prioritize tasks, meet schedule and see a program to completion.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with system, hardware, firmware, software, and test teams.
• US government position. US citizenship and ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance is required.
• Up to 10% travel.

What will help you on the job

• Knowledge of encryption and information assurance technologies.
• Knowledge of network communication concepts.
• Experience with board design and layout, which include concepts for HS Layout.
• Trade study and analysis.
• Knowledge of Make or buy analysis.
• Basic knowledge of market needs and customer use cases.
• Masters' degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent professional experience.
• Active Secret clearance.

Salary range

$104,500.00 - $164,500.00 / 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 $129,000.00- $194,000.00 / annually.

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.