Project Engineer

Viasat; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 141,500 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Project Engineer to lead the technical execution of advanced phased array product development programs for government and defense markets, guiding work from requirements through production. You will coordinate across systems, RF, digital, FPGA, software, mechanical and test engineering teams to deliver SATCOM and radar solutions, balancing performance, cost and schedule and ensuring manufacturability.

U.S. citizenship is required and the role requires ability to obtain a U.S.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience in phased array, radar, SATCOM, RF systems, aerospace, defense, or related technology development.
• Experience developing phased array or electronically steered antenna systems for SATCOM and/or radar applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex product development from concept through production.
• Strong understanding of RF, antenna, digital beamforming, and communication systems.
• Experience with systems engineering processes including requirements, verification, validation, and risk management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. Citizenship required and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross‑functional engineering teams through development, integration, verification, qualification, and production release of phased array products for SATCOM and radar applications.
• Serve as the primary technical focal point between engineering, program management, manufacturing, supply chain, and customer stakeholders.
• Coordinate activities across systems, RF, antenna, digital, FPGA, software, mechanical, and test engineering teams.
• Drive technical planning, schedule execution, risk management, and issue resolution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead requirements development, system architecture trades, design reviews, and technical decision‑making processes.
• Ensure technical solutions meet customer performance requirements while achieving program cost and schedule objectives.
• Support subsystem and system‑level integration activities, including lab validation, field testing, and customer demonstrations.
• Manage technical risks, identify mitigation strategies, and drive timely closure of technical issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers and development partners to support component selection, technology maturation, and product realization.
• Support manufacturing readiness, qualification efforts, design for manufacturability initiatives, and transition to production.
• Communicate program status, technical risks, and key milestones to engineering leadership and program stakeholders.
• Contribute to product roadmap development and future technology strategy for phased array systems supporting government markets.

Skills

RF systems

AESA

Beamforming

Phased array

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

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

Viasat is seeking a Project Engineer to lead the technical execution of advanced phased array product development programs supporting government and defense markets. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership across the full product lifecycle, encompassing the creation of requirements, architecture, building, integration, verification, qualification, and transition to production.

This role will focus on electronically steered antenna (ESA) and phased array technologies for SATCOM and radar applications.

The Project Engineer will coordinate activities across systems, RF, digital, software, FPGA, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineering teams to ensure successful execution of cost, schedule, performance, and quality objectives. The role requires close collaboration with internal collaborators, customers, suppliers, and development partners on highly technical topics.

The day-to-day

The successful candidate will lead the technical execution of phased array product development programs for government and defense customers, working across multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver innovative SATCOM and radar solutions. This role requires balancing technical performance, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and customer requirements while driving products from concept through production.

Key responsibilities

• Lead cross‑functional engineering teams through development, integration, verification, qualification, and production release of phased array products for SATCOM and radar applications.
• Serve as the primary technical focal point between engineering, program management, manufacturing, supply chain, and customer stakeholders.
• Coordinate activities across systems, RF, antenna, digital, FPGA, software, mechanical, and test engineering teams.
• Drive technical planning, schedule execution, risk management, and issue resolution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead requirements development, system architecture trades, design reviews, and technical decision‑making processes.
• Ensure technical solutions meet customer performance requirements while achieving program cost and schedule objectives.
• Support subsystem and system‑level integration activities, including lab validation, field testing, and customer demonstrations.
• Manage technical risks, identify mitigation strategies, and drive timely closure of technical issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers and development partners to support component selection, technology maturation, and product realization.
• Support manufacturing readiness, qualification efforts, design for manufacturability initiatives, and transition to production.
• Communicate program status, technical risks, and key milestones to engineering leadership and program stakeholders.
• Contribute to product roadmap development and future technology strategy for phased array systems supporting government markets.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of engineering experience in phased array, radar, SATCOM, RF systems, aerospace, defense, or related technology development.
• Experience developing phased array or electronically steered antenna systems for SATCOM and/or radar applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex product development efforts from concept through qualification and production.
• Strong understanding of RF systems, antenna systems, digital beamforming, and communication systems.
• Experience with systems engineering processes, including requirements development, verification, validation, and risk management.
• Proven technical leadership experience working across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain a US Top Secret/SCI clearance is required.

What will help you on the job

• Experience with active electronically scanned array (AESA) technologies.
• Experience with SATCOM terminals, radar systems, or advanced RF sensor systems.
• Familiarity with phased array calibration, beam forming, and RF characterization techniques.
• Experience with environmental and qualification testing.
• Knowledge of military standards such as MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461.
• Experience transitioning advanced technology products from development into production.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Salary range

$141,500.00 - $224,000.00 / 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 $176,000.00- $264,000.00/ 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.