Principal Systems Security Engineer

Viasat, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 200,000 - 316,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat, Inc. is seeking a Lead Security Architect to drive enterprise, cloud, product, and infrastructure security. The role emphasizes information assurance, risk reduction, and alignment with NIST guidance, supporting secure ground and space networks and formal accreditation efforts.

You will guide cross‑functional teams, design robust security controls, and lead threat modeling and risk assessments. A TS clearance and U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, information security, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 12+ years leading complex security engineering and architecture initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of security architecture, defense in depth, and security controls across infra and cloud.

Responsibilities

• Guide security teams on architecture and control requirements.
• Design and advance security controls and secure architectures with multidisciplinary engineering groups.
• Lead security reviews, threat modeling, and risk assessments for systems and initiatives.
• Establish an information security program for architecture and accreditation under Risk Management Framework.
• Support implementation of DoD Zero Trust framework and maintain security standards and reference architectures.
• Explain architectural decisions, risks, and recommendations to partners.

Skills

Security architecture

Threat modeling

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Job description

Role overview

Lead security architecture and engineering across enterprise, cloud, product, and infrastructure environments. The work focuses on information assurance, risk reduction, and alignment with NIST guidance, including secure architectures for ground and space networks and support for formal accreditation efforts.

Responsibilities

• Guide network, software, infrastructure, cloud, and physical security teams on architecture and control requirements.
• Design and advance security controls and secure architectures in collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering groups.
• Lead security reviews for systems, applications, infrastructure, and technology initiatives; conduct threat modeling and risk assessments.
• Establish an information security program for the architecture and provide technical and policy guidance for Risk Management Framework accreditation.
• Support implementation of the Department of Defense Zero Trust framework and maintain security standards, reference architectures, and engineering processes.
• Explain architectural decisions, risks, and recommendations to technical and business partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, engineering, information security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 12 years leading complex security engineering and architecture initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of security architecture, defense in depth, and security controls across infrastructure and cloud environments.
• Experience with threat modeling, security assessments, and architecture reviews.
• Active Top Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, including travel to offices in Carlsbad, California, and Reston, Virginia.

Nice to have

• Security certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, GIAC, or cloud security credentials; experience with Zero Trust, identity security, cloud‑native platforms, containers, Kubernetes, or DevSecOps.
• Familiarity with security monitoring and automation tools, regulated environments, or frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and FedRAMP.
• Experience with SPRS, eMASS, or model‑based systems engineering, and presenting recommendations to senior leaders.

Benefits and work setup

• The stated annual base salary range is $200,000–$315,500. For certain San Jose, San Francisco Bay Area, and New York City locations, the range is $248,500–$372,500. Compensation may vary by location and experience; additional cash or stock incentives and benefits may be available.