Network and Systems Engineer

Viasat; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 147,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat in Rhode Island is seeking a highly skilled network engineer to design, build, and secure resilient networks across physical and virtual environments. You will mentor engineers and act as escalation point for complex infrastructure issues in a fast‑growing government context.

The role requires 5+ years in routing/switching, firewall policies, and VMs, with CCNA/CCIE/CISSP or equivalent, and Security+ within 45 days.

Qualifications

• 5+ years demonstrable experience with routing and switching, firewalls, and virtual machines.
• Experience in networking or systems field in government context.
• Familiarity with STIG, POAM, IAVM, and other government security policies.
• Active CCNA, CCIE, CISSP or equivalent certification.
• Security+ certification within 45 days.
• Associate’s Degree in computing, electronic engineering, information systems, or equivalent.
• US Government position; US citizenship required.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance or ability to obtain.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.
• On‑call rotation availability.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot routing, switching, firewalls, VMs, storage and compute components.
• Identify root causes of failures and update procedures and training.
• Perform preventative maintenance and coordinate with team members.
• Manage network projects and drive initiatives from start to finish.
• Document procedures including tickets, configs and diagrams.
• Collaborate with Cyber and Security teams to remediate vulnerabilities.

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

Looking to take the next step in your career? This role could be an excellent fit. We are seeking a highly skilled and expert network engineer specializing in networking and infrastructure systems in a rapidly growing environment. This team plays a critical role in architecting, developing, securing, and maintaining multiple networks and systems within the Viasat Government organization.

This is a high‑impact role designed for an authority who balances visionary engineering with elite problem solving. You will design, build, and safeguard resilient, high‑availability, and hardened network architectures across physical and virtual networks. Beyond standard operations, you will act as the final escalation point for sophisticated infrastructure anomalies, maintain standards, and mentor a talented team of engineers to elevate our overall operational maturity.

The successful applicant must be self‑motivated and capable of completing sophisticated tasks with minimal supervision, and must be confident in promoting improvements and introducing new technologies.

The role will require coordination with a wide range of other project teams both within and outside Viasat, and may require travel to support system integration activities.

The day‑to‑day

Corrective Maintenance. Troubleshoot complex failures involving routing, switching, firewalls, virtual machines, storage, compute, etc.

Analyzing the root cause of failures. Hardware or software may need to be replaced, upgraded, or reconfigured. Once service is restored, a true root cause must be identified and procedures updated with training provided for mitigation.

Performing preventative maintenance. This includes routine inspection, backup, physical maintenance, and collaboration with team members for accurate pre‑, main, and post‑execution work.

Managing Network projects. The team handles numerous mid‑ to long‑term initiatives. Staff are assigned to projects and are expected to champion them from start to finish.

Documenting procedures. Documentation includes trouble tickets, logs, equipment configurations, wiring diagrams, block and level diagrams, logic diagrams, rack elevation drawings, physical interconnection diagrams, backhaul circuit information, System Change Control, Corrective Action Reports, etc.

Cyber and Information Assuredness. Work closely with the Cyber Security Operations Center and the Security Engineering team to identify vulnerabilities, verify network impact, and remediate components. Perform STIGs quarterly and other RMF/ATO activities routinely.

What You’ll Need

• 5+ years demonstrable experience with routing and switching protocols, firewall policies, and virtual machines
• Validated experience in the networking or systems field
• Familiarity with STIG, POAM, IAVM, and other government security policies
• Active CCNA, CCIE, CISSP or equivalent certification
• Security+ (must obtain within 45 days)
• Associate’s Degree in computing, electronic engineering, information systems, or equivalent
• US Government position; US citizenship required
• Active DoD Secret Clearance or ability to obtain when administratively feasible
• Ability to travel up to 15%
• Ability to work an on‑call rotation

What Will Help You On The Job

• CCNP or CISSP
• Palo Alto certification
• RedHat Linux RHCSA certification
• Experience in a cloud environment
• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of Artificial Intelligence
• Automation using Python, Ansible, PowerShell, etc.
• Nessus, Security Center familiarity
• Identity and access management experience
• Experience configuring, administering, upgrading, and securing a variety of equipment and applications

Salary range

$147,000 – $232,000 annually. For positions in San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area, or the New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range is $183,000 – $274,000 annually.

At Viasat, compensation includes base pay based on scope, background, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided, along with a range of medical, financial, and other benefits. Learn more about our comprehensive benefit offerings 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 legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this online application, please let us know.