Senior Software Engineer (SDET, Python)

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 261,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Software Engineer in Test (SDET) to transform quality engineering across terminal and media server software. You will build scalable automation, tooling, and CI/CD solutions while collaborating with global teams to raise release confidence. This is a site-based role with hybrid work expectations (3+ days in office).

You will help lead engineering best practices, mentor engineers, and contribute to AI-powered quality improvements across complex distributed systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software engineering, SDET or related roles.
• Proficient in C/C++ with Python experience for tooling and automation.
• Strong Linux and networking fundamentals; experience with CI/CD stacks.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable test platforms for Linux and virtualized environments.
• Build Python-based frameworks and automation tooling to improve quality and productivity.
• Develop reusable automation for integration, system, regression, and end-to-end tests.
• Own CI/CD infrastructure and validation workflows, mentoring peers.
• Lead investigations, improve observability, and drive engineering practices toward AI-assisted testing.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Linux

Networking

Agile

Communication

Troubleshooting

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Jira

Git/GitHub

Jenkins

Artifactory

CodeQL

GTest

cMocka

Gherkin

Pytest

Job description

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What you'll do

As a Software Engineer in Test (SDET) you will transform how quality engineering is delivered across Viasat's terminal and media server software platforms.

At Viasat, our SDET roles are focused on building platforms, tooling, and intelligent automation with a focusbuilding scalable automation, test platforms, CI/CD solutions, and intelligent engineering tools. You will work across multiple generations of media server software, collaborating with global engineering teams to improve software quality, engineering productivity, and release confidence. As a senior member of the team, you will influence technical direction, establish engineering best practices, and help drive Viasat's shift toward AI-assisted quality engineering and continuous delivery.

This is a site‑based role, employees work 3+ days (60%+) per week from a Viasat office or work location within a standard five‑day workweek.

The day-to-day

Platform Engineering & Architecture

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable test and validation platforms supporting media server software running on Linux OS and virtualized environments.
• Build production-quality Python frameworks, libraries, services, and tooling that improve software quality and engineering efficiency.
• Develop reusable automation solutions for integration, system, regression, and end-to-end testing across Viasat's terminal and ground ecosystems.

CI/CD & Developer Productivity

• Define and evolve automation architecture to support multiple product generations and future platform growth.
• Own and enhance CI/CD infrastructure, automated validation workflows, and engineering productivity tooling used by globally distributed teams.
• Design and scale automated testing pipelines across multiple labs and environments, supporting increasing product and engineering complexity.

Cross-Domain Debugging & Technical Leadership

• Develop solutions that enable rapid feedback, shorter development cycles, and higher deployment confidence.
• Improve observability, metrics, reporting, and dashboards that provide real-time insights into software quality and pipeline health.
• Drive Shift Left engineering practices by enabling developers to identify and resolve issues earlier in the software lifecycle.
• Partner with software, systems, networking, and platform engineering teams to establish scalable quality practices and testing strategies.
• Lead investigations into complex failures across software, infrastructure, networking, and automation systems.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to code reviews, design discussions, and technical decision-making.

AI & Intelligent Automation

• Partner with Viasat's Data & AI team to design and build Agentic AI solutions that reduce manual effort in test orchestration, debugging, root cause analysis, and operational workflows.
• Identify opportunities where AI-powered tooling can accelerate engineering productivity and improve product quality.

Global Collaboration

• Work closely with engineering teams across the US, APAC, and Europe to deliver high-quality software and maintain reliable engineering operations.
• Support software validation activities for mission-critical aviation connectivity services where reliability, scale, and customer experience are essential.

What you'll need

• Languages: C/C++ (Primary), Rust, and Bash.
• Operating System: Linux, OpenWRT.
• Testing Frameworks: Google Test, cMocka, Gherkin, Pytest.
• Tools: Jira, Git/GitHub, Jenkins, Artifactory, and CodeQL.
• 10+ years of experience in Software Engineering, Software Engineering in Test (SDET), Developer Productivity Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related technical roles.
• Strong software development experience in Python, including designing reusable frameworks, services, libraries, and automation platforms.
• Experience building and scaling automation solutions for large, complex systems.
• Deep understanding of software development fundamentals, including object-oriented design, clean code practices, software architecture, and testing strategies.
• Experience designing and operating CI/CD systems using tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, or similar platforms.
• Strong Linux expertise, including systems configuration, debugging, automation, and scripting.
• Networking knowledge including TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP/S, DNS, DHCP, Multicast, REST APIs, and distributed systems concepts.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across software, infrastructure, automation, and networking layers.
• Experience working within Agile software development environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in globally distributed teams.

What will help you on the job

• Experience with virtualized or cloud-based test environments.
• Experience developing developer productivity platforms or internal engineering tools.
• Experience with AI, ML, or Agentic AI solutions applied to software development, testing, or operational workflows.
• Experience in telecommunications, networking, satellite communications, aviation, in-flight connectivity, or other distributed systems domains.
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Salary range

$165,000.00 - $260,500.00 / 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 $205,000.00- $307,000.00/ 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.