Satellite Communications Systems Engineer (Staff)

Viasat; Carlsbad, Germantown, Independence Township (CA, MD, OH); On-site; USD 142,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Communications Systems Staff Engineer to join its engineering team in the US. The role focuses on developing next-generation satellite systems for GEO and NGSO constellations and ground systems, including end-to-end architecture, analysis, and verification of communications systems.

You will contribute to system design, performance assessment, and cross-functional collaboration, with travel up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in communications systems, coding theory, estimation theory, control theory, signal processing, and modern system architectures.
• Proven ability to design, develop, integrate, and test complex communications systems.
• Experience leading technical efforts across disciplines, including system analysis and engineering trade-off decisions.
• Strong systems-thinking skills balancing performance, reliability, cost, and operational requirements.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including presenting technical recommendations and review findings.
• Ability to work independently from broad objectives while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, influencing decisions through analysis, innovation, and sound engineering judgment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field, or equivalent practical experience; advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Work within a focused team to propose, develop, simulate, analyze, and test various systems and subsystems used for wireless satellite communications systems.
• Support and react to industry standardization activities such as 3GPP as needed.
• Create and maintain RF or optical link budgets and estimate overall link and system capacity.
• Develop and analyze specification and requirements.
• Work autonomously and collaboratively within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, where quick turnarounds are essential to team success.
• Documentation responsibilities encompass managing requirements using Jama, fulfilling tasks documented in Jira, and preparing and reviewing design documents.
• Participate in peer reviews of software, hardware, and architecture.

Skills

Communications systems

Coding theory

Estimation theory

Control theory

Signal processing

Modern system architectures

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Written and verbal communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Jama

Jira

MATLAB

Python

Claude code

Job description

Viasat is seeking a Communications Systems Staff Engineer to join its engineering team in the US. The role focuses on developing next-generation satellite systems for GEO and NGSO constellations and ground systems, including end-to-end architecture, analysis, and verification of communications systems.

You will contribute to system design, performance assessment, and cross-functional collaboration, with travel up to 10% as needed.