Operations Program Manager

Viasat; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 121,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat in Tempe, AZ seeks an Operations Program Manager for a hybrid role combining onsite collaboration and remote work.

The OPM will own the entire lifecycle from development to mass production, partnering with engineering, manufacturing, and quality to deliver high-visibility products on time, with scale and quality. A technical engineering background and CM experience are essential.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in program management, product operations, or engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline (Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial).
• Proven track record of taking complex technical products from development into mass production.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Direct contract manufacturing experience.
• Must be able to obtain a United States Top Secret Clearance; US citizenship required.
• Must be able to work onsite in Tempe, AZ 3 days per week; travel up to 15%.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete product lifecycle from initial development through mass production.
• Partner with engineering to influence product design for manufacturability and cost.
• Drive program execution balancing schedule, quality, and cost.
• Develop and implement a manufacturing test strategy.
• Identify process/hardware improvements to speed up NPI and scale.
• Communicate program status and recovery plans to executive leadership.

Skills

Program management

Product operations

Engineering

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Contract manufacturing

Education

Engineering degree

Master's degree in Engineering

MBA

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

We have exciting opportunity for a Operations Program Manager to join our dynamic team in Tempe, AZ! This hybrid role offers the unique blend of working collaboratively within our Tempe office and the flexibility of remote work.

This highly technical Operations Program Manager (OPM) acts as the single point of accountability and a critical bridge between engineering and operations to ensure the seamless transition of innovative products from concept through high-volume launch and scale. This individual leads the core cross-functional team, integrating functions like engineering, manufacturing, quality, and the supply chain. Leveraging a technical engineering background, the OPM is responsible for driving new product development into production, focusing on delivering world-class, high-visibility products on time, at scale, and at the highest quality.

The day-to-day

• Own the complete product lifecycle from initial development through mass production, ensuring the readiness of engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain functions.
• Partner with engineering to influence product design, focusing on manufacturability, testability, cost, and scalability.
• Drive program execution, strategically balancing technical details and trade-offs to meet objectives for schedule, quality, and cost.
• Develop and implement a manufacturing test strategy that satisfies all program requirements.
• Identify and implement process/hardware improvements to boost the speed, quality, and scalability of new product introductions (NPI's).
• Communicate program status, including risks and recovery plans, to executive leadership clearly and confidently.

What you'll need

• 4+ years of experience in roles such as program management, product operations, or engineering (a mix of these is highly preferred).
• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline (e.g. Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial).
• A proven track record of successfully taking complex technical products from development into mass production.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and high attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to effectively influence and align both cross-functional internal teams and external partners.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, navigate ambiguity, and consistently deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Direct contract manufacturing experience.
• Must be able to obtain a United States Top Secret Clearance
• US Citizenship is required.
• Must be able to work onsite in our Tempe, AZ office 3 days per week
• Travel is up to 15%

What will help you on the job

• A master’s degree in engineering or an MBA.
• Direct experience managing Contract Manufacturers (CMs).
• A deep understanding of supply chain operations, quality systems, and product lifecycle management (PLM).
• Prior leadership experience or a demonstrated ability to grow into a managerial role.
• An active security clearance is preferred.

#LI-VSAT

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.