Machine Learning Team Lead - Satellite Capacity Optimization & Planning

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 198,500 - 313,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company based in Carlsbad is seeking an experienced technical leader to manage an ML team focused on optimizing satellite supply allocation. The ideal candidate has over 10 years in ML/optimization, including 3 years in a leadership role, and is proficient in SQL and cloud environments like AWS. Responsibilities include developing optimization tools and mentoring junior engineers. The position offers a salary range of $198,500 to $313,000 annually, depending on experience and location.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in ML/optimization roles, with 3+ years leading technical teams.
• Experience in building production ML systems in cloud environments.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Lead an ML team focusing on supply allocation optimization.
• Inform and execute the technical roadmap for satellite capacity optimization.
• Develop tools for dynamic supply-demand optimization scenarios.

Skills

Optimization techniques

SQL proficiency

Mentoring junior ML engineers

Geospatial visualizations

Building RESTful APIs

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

AWS

GCP

Airflow

Athena

BigQuery

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

You will lead an ML team building platforms and tooling to optimize supply allocation across our global satellite fleet to meet our customer demand, and provide business stakeholders with planning insights. This is a technical leadership role requiring strong engineering skills, product ownership, and the ability to contribute hands‑on when needed.

The day-to-day

• Inform and execute the technical roadmap for satellite capacity optimization
• Develop models, optimizations and tools for dynamic supply-demand optimization scenarios
• Own the team backlog and translate stakeholder requirements into technical deliverables
• Mentor ML engineers and data scientists, particularly on optimization problems
• Get hands‑on with complex technical challenges when your expertise is needed
• Guide demand/supply modeling strategy and validate feasibility of optimization approaches
• Partner with existing SMEs to drive development strategy
• Interface with technical stakeholders to prioritize and scope work

What you’ll need

• 10+ years in ML/optimization roles, with 3+ years leading technical teams
• Strong background in optimization techniques (linear programming, constraint satisfaction, etc.)
• Proficient in SQL
• Experience building production ML systems in cloud environments (AWS/GCP)
• Experience with ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, or equivalent)
• Track record mentoring junior ML engineers
• Skilled at building geospatial visualizations and telling data‑driven stories
• Cloud‑native containerized application development experience
• Comfortable building and maintaining RESTful APIs
• Demonstrated product ownership skills – backlog management, stakeholder engagement, roadmap planning
• Ability to travel up to 10%

What will help you on the job

• Experience in satellite communications domain – link budgets, orbital mechanics
• Production reinforcement learning systems experience
• Airflow, Athena, BigQuery
• Experience with ECS, Batch, or similar orchestration tools

Salary range

$198,500.00 - $313,000.00 / 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 $246,500.00- $369,500.00 / 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, 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.