Senior RF Payload Systems Engineer – Space

Viasat; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 142,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat's Strategic Space Systems (S3) team in Tempe, AZ seeks an experienced RF/Systems Engineer to design and verify space-grade RF hardware from concept to production.

You will collaborate with government customers and cross-functional teams to capture requirements, perform system-level analysis, and lead test campaigns across unit to spacecraft levels, delivering robust, high-reliability solutions for national security missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or related discipline
• 8+ years' experience as an RF/Systems Engineer, including hands-on design, troubleshooting, integration, and test of RF hardware at the PWA, module, unit, and system level
• 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 to isolate and resolve hardware issues
• Working knowledge of RF circuit-level design and construction (amplifiers, filters, mixers, switches, interconnects)
• Experience diagnosing and root-causing RF hardware failures (e.g., via failure analysis, root cause corrective action processes)
• Familiarity with space-qualified RF hardware build standards
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams including Business Development, Systems, Software, RF circuit design, FPGA/digital design, mechanical, and manufacturing/production
• Experience in payload and electronics design for space applications, including reliability, parts/materials/processes (EEE parts), and EMI/EMC requirements for space-based systems
• Strong analytic/mathematics background with experience in system modeling, simulation, and analysis, including power and communication link budgets
• Strong understanding of systems engineering analysis: requirements definition and flow-down, interface definitions, system test design and execution, and risk identification, tracking, and burn-down
• Proficiency using RF and systems design engineering tools including MATLAB, ADS, HFSS, and Genesys
• Ability to serve as the technical RF interface to customers, translating RF hardware capability, constraints, and test results into system-level solutions and trade discussions
• Experience working directly with Government customers to develop system-level requirements and solutions
• Strong technical leadership, including mentoring engineers on hardware integration and test practices

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers to build multi-function systems from concept to implementation
• Develop requirements, architecture, integration, and verification of RF hardware
• Translate customer needs into system-level solutions and trade discussions
• Lead collaboration with Viasat partners and cross-functional teams to pursue high-priority opportunities

Skills

RF engineering

Systems engineering

MATLAB

ADS

HFSS

Genesys

RF test

System-level analysis

Leadership/mentoring

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering/RF/Microwave

MS degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

ADS

HFSS

Genesys

Job description

Viasat's Strategic Space Systems (S3) team in Tempe, AZ seeks an experienced RF/Systems Engineer to design and verify space-grade RF hardware from concept to production.

You will collaborate with government customers and cross-functional teams to capture requirements, perform system-level analysis, and lead test campaigns across unit to spacecraft levels, delivering robust, high-reliability solutions for national security missions.