Senior Program Manager, Space and Missions Systems

Viasat, Inc.; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 213,000 - 336,000; Full time

Job summary

ViaSat Inc. is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead multiple concurrent satellite communications initiatives for space vehicles across orbit regimes. You will build strong customer relationships, guide complex development, and ensure disciplined cost, schedule, and risk management to achieve program success.

The role requires collaboration across functional teams, effective leadership, and the ability to drive proposals and capture efforts, including strategy and cost estimation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive program or project management experience on complex technical development programs.

Responsibilities

• Apply EVM and risk management to plan, monitor, and control cost, schedule, and performance.

Skills

EVM

Risk management

Cost management

Schedule management

Communication

Cross-functional leadership

Mentoring

Proposal development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related technical discipline

Job description

About us

At Viasat, the work you do helps people stay connected in ways that matter, from everyday moments to critical missions across air, land, sea, and space.

We’re a place for people who are curious, bold, and motivated by meaningful work. Here, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, explore new possibilities, and grow your career in ways that align with your interests and goals. When you're ready to take on something new, you'll find leaders who support your development and help you turn your ambition into action.

What you'll do

Viasat combines experienced leadership, advanced technology, operational agility, and a strong culture of innovation to address the world’s most complex communications challenges. Through bold and differentiated business models, we leverage commercial technologies to rapidly deliver transformative Warfighter operational capabilities and continuously evolve those solutions to maintain advantage against emerging adversary threats.

We employ a customer‑centric approach to address complex challenges through innovative, scalable solutions delivered on accelerated timelines. Viasat’s Government Space and Mission Systems business area supports a diverse portfolio that includes RF and optical communications, advanced sensing payloads, and fully integrated space missions.

As a Program Manager, you will lead multiple, concurrent initiatives to develop and deliver state‑of‑the‑art satellite communication solutions for space vehicles at all orbit regimes. The ideal candidate will build and maintain strong customer relationships, lead complex development efforts, ensure successful program execution through disciplined cost, schedule, and risk management, drive proposal activities, and champion continuous improvement.

The day-to-day

The Senior Program Manager will lead a highly capable, cross‑functional team responsible for the development and delivery of advanced satellite communications solutions. In this role, you will:

• Apply earned value management (EVM) and risk management disciplines to effectively plan, monitor, and control program cost, schedule, and performance.
• Collaborate with functional and matrixed leadership to ensure timely and appropriate allocation of personnel and resources in support of program execution.
• Provide program direction and oversight of subcontractor procurement and performance to ensure alignment with program technical, schedule, and financial objectives.
• Build and maintain customer relationships.
• Provide accurate, timely program execution, financial status, and risk reporting to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Support capture and business development activities by contributing to business model and capability roadmap development and leading all aspects of proposal development, including strategy, cost estimation, and program execution content.

What you'll need

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in program management or project management roles of complex technical development programs.
• Demonstrated experience in cost, schedule, and performance management using EVM, variance analysis, risk management, and program dashboards.
• Experience managing supplier relationships throughout the subcontract management lifecycle, including Statement of Work (SOW) development, performance tracking, and risk/issue escalation.
• Experience leading proposal development.
• Proven ability to work independently to define and resolve complex problems, anticipate future program needs, and establish meaningful metrics to measure success.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to diverse stakeholders.
• Experienced relationship builder with a demonstrated ability to build and lead cross functional teams.
• Ability to mentor, supporting the development of others and the resolution of complex challenges.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related technical discipline.
• U.S. citizenship is required and ability to maintain an active United States Top Secret/SCI Clearance.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20%.

What will help you on the job

• Active U.S. Government security clearance, with SSBI/SCI eligibility.
• Program Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
• Master’s degree in relevant engineering, science, or business discipline.
• Experience with U.S. Government contracting and execution of development programs.
• Ability to contribute as a thought leader in strategic development and process improvement.
• Understanding of systems engineering, integration, production, or sustainment for defense systems.
• Experience supporting fully integrated space mission development programs, including space vehicle, ground segment, and operations.
• Experience supporting payload and/or electronics development for space systems.
• Experience performing first‑order, system‑level analyses to inform technical and programmatic decisions.

#LI-AF1

Salary range

$212,500.00 - $335,500.00 / 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 $264,000.00- $396,000.00/ 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.