Senior RF Payload Systems Engineer for Space

ViaSat Inc.; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

ViaSat Inc. in Tempe, AZ is hiring a Senior RF/Systems Engineer to lead design, integration, and testing of RF hardware for space applications. You will engage with customers and cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-priority space programs from concept through verification.

The role emphasizes requirements definition, architecture, system test design, and risk management, with opportunities to mentor engineers and shape mission-critical payloads.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or related discipline.
• 8+ years' experience as an RF/Systems Engineer with hands-on design, troubleshooting, integration, and test of RF hardware at multiple levels.
• Experience taking RF hardware from design through fabrication, assembly, integration, and verification (bring-up, debug, ATP/qualification testing).
• Experience with RF payload integration and test campaigns (unit-level through spacecraft/system-level I&T).
• Bench-level RF test experience using network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and noise figure/power meters.
• Knowledge of RF circuit-level design (amplifiers, filters, mixers, interconnects) and how it affects system performance/cost.
• Experience diagnosing RF hardware failures and root-cause analysis.
• Familiarity with space-qualified RF hardware build standards.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams (Business Development, Systems, Software, FPGA/digital, mechanical, manufacturing).
• Experience in space payload/electronics design including reliability/EMI/EMC requirements.
• Strong analytics and system modeling, including power/link budgets.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, ADS, HFSS, Genesys.
• Serve as technical RF interface to customers.
• Experience with Government customers for system-level requirements.
• Strong technical leadership and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative technologies; work with customers to build multi-function systems from concept to implementation.
• Collaborate with Viasat partners to identify and pursue high-priority opportunities.
• Report into the S3 organization and contribute to system-level design and verification.
• Lead requirements, architecture, integration, and test activities for RF hardware.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/RF

8+ years RF/Systems Engineer

RF design through fabrication

RF payload integration and test

Bench RF test experience

RF circuit-level design knowledge

Root-cause RF hardware failures

Space-qualified RF hardware standards

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Space electronics design experience

Systems engineering analysis

MATLAB, ADS, HFSS, Genesys

Customer-facing technical interface

Government customer experience

Technical leadership and mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

ADS

HFSS

Genesys

Job description

ViaSat Inc. in Tempe, AZ is hiring a Senior RF/Systems Engineer to lead design, integration, and testing of RF hardware for space applications. You will engage with customers and cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-priority space programs from concept through verification.

The role emphasizes requirements definition, architecture, system test design, and risk management, with opportunities to mentor engineers and shape mission-critical payloads.