Senior RF Systems Lead – Antenna & Hardware

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Radio Frequency and Antenna Systems Engineer to lead a multidisciplinary team in the Government Space and Emerging Technologies group, guiding the hardware lifecycle from requirements through production and sustainment.

You will design RF and antenna subsystems, coordinate with subcontractors, perform link budgets, tests, and design reviews, and ensure CM controls and compliance; travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with 10+ years RF hardware experience.
• Proven leadership of multi‑discipline engineering teams across RF hardware, firmware, and DSP.
• Track record designing RF front ends and antenna systems from concept to production.
• Strong communication skills for briefs and customer design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Direct RF/antenna subsystem hardware design across internal teams and subcontractors.
• Define verification strategies and perform end‑to‑end link budgets from L‑ to Ka‑band.
• Collaborate with PCB CAD to optimize layouts and reduce signal losses.
• Engage with customers as the RF/Systems SME and lead design reviews.

Skills

RF hardware design

Antenna systems

Technical leadership

System integration

Customer engagements

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in electrical engineering

Associate's degree

Tools

PCB CAD

RF test equipment

Job description

Viasat is seeking a Radio Frequency and Antenna Systems Engineer to lead a multidisciplinary team in the Government Space and Emerging Technologies group, guiding the hardware lifecycle from requirements through production and sustainment.

You will design RF and antenna subsystems, coordinate with subcontractors, perform link budgets, tests, and design reviews, and ensure CM controls and compliance; travel up to 10% may be required.