Sr Manager, Systems Engineering

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 178,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive the TMF program as the technical center of gravity for platform integration. You will personally lead cloud, network, security, and cryptographic subsystems into a single accredited I/NaaS and author the IaC that deploys it.

You’ll own end-to-end integration, mentor engineers, and, with a clear path to formal leadership, help shape the team while supporting DoD and government programs. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Hands-on Terraform module authoring with GitOps at production scale.
• AWS hands-on experience: VPC, IAM, security groups, EC2, S3, multi-account patterns.
• Deep IP networking: TCP/IP, BGP (EVPN), OSPF, IPsec, SD-WAN.
• Experience with government contract deliverables (SRR, PDR, CDR).
• Demonstrated leadership as an individual contributor with cross-functional impact.
• Desire to move into formal leadership with path to people management.
• 8+ years systems engineering or systems integration in defense, federal, SATCOM, or telecom.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Platform Integration of TMF: AWS GovCloud, SD-WAN, MPLS, NGFW, cryptographic solutions.
• Author Terraform modules and Ansible playbooks; GitLab CI/CD with peer review.
• Design multi-account AWS architectures and ensure multi-tenant isolation.
• Lead design and integration of SD-WAN, BGP, IPsec, and firewall HA.
• Run the V-Model lifecycle across TMF deliverables; manage interfaces and RTM.
• Mentor engineers; conduct code reviews; align SE deliverables to standards.

Skills

Terraform

Ansible AWX

AWS GovCloud

IP networking

V-Model lifecycle

Leadership impact

DoD/clearance

Terraform modules

GitOps

Education

Bachelor's in EE, CS, Telecom, or related technical field

Tools

Terraform

Ansible AWX

GitLab CI/CD

VPC architectures

AWS multi-account patterns

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

The Integrated Solutions Business Unit is hiring a Lead Systems Engineer to serve as the technical center of gravity for our Tactical Mission Fabric (TMF) program. This is a hands-on systems engineering leadership role, not a pure management seat and not a requirements-analysis-only role. You will personally lead the integration of cloud, network, security, and cryptographic subsystems into a unified, accredited platform; author the IaC that deploys it; and own integration outcomes end to end while setting the technical bar for the engineers around you. We're looking for a senior engineer ready for a formal leadership step: someone who has already led through technical influence and cross-functional ownership, and who is ready to formally lead a team for the first time, or who has begun leading and wants broader scope.

The day-to-day

• End-to-End Platform Integration: Integrate AWS GovCloud multi-account infrastructure, SD-WAN overlay, MPLS underlay, NGFW boundary security, and cryptographic solutions into a single accredited I/NaaS. Own the seams between subsystems.
• IaC-First Engineering: Author Terraform modules and Ansible AWX playbooks for all TMF deployments. Every change goes through GitLab CI/CD with peer review.
• AWS Architecture at Scale: Design and operate multi-account architectures including Organizations, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect Gateway, PrivateLink, and VPC topologies supporting multi-tenant isolation.
• SD-WAN and Network Integration: Own design and integration of the SD-WAN overlay, BGP routing (including EVPN/VXLAN), IPsec tunnel engineering, and enterprise firewall HA pairs at every ingress and egress zone.
• Requirements, Architecture, V&V: Run the V-Model lifecycle on TMF deliverables (SRR, PDR, CDR), maintain the RTM, define subsystem interfaces, and execute verification and validation against mission needs.
• Security and Compliance Engineering: Map configurations to NIST 800-53 Rev 5 and 800-171, engineer telemetry into the SIEM, apply STIG and CIS hardening, and produce SSP artifacts that hold up to FedRAMP and CMMC Level 2 scrutiny.
• Integration Risk Management: Identify cross-domain failure points early, develop mitigation plans, and make trade-off calls visible to engineering and program leadership.
• Set and enforce standards for SE deliverables, integration quality, and IaC discipline across the TMF team and the broader Integrated Solutions portfolio.
• Mentor systems engineers across experience levels; run technical and code reviews that raise the team's bar.
• Translate between network engineering, cloud engineering, security, program management, and customer stakeholders.
• Own SE and platform outcomes across multiple tenants and programs, not only the ones you personally execute.
• Grow into formal team leadership: partner with the Director on direction, hiring, and resource allocation, with a clear path to direct people management.

What you'll need

• Hands-on Terraform module authoring with disciplined GitOps practice at production scale
• AWS hands-on experience: VPC, IAM, security groups, EC2, S3, and multi-account patterns
• Deep IP networking expertise: TCP/IP, BGP (including EVPN), OSPF, IPsec, and SD-WAN overlay design
• Hands-on V-Model lifecycle experience on government contract deliverables (SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Demonstrated leadership impact as an individual contributor: standing up a technical capability, mentoring engineers, leading a technical workstream, or sustained cross-functional technical leadership
• Readiness to step into a formal leadership billet with a path to direct people management
• 8+ years systems engineering or systems integration in defense, federal, SATCOM, or telecom environments
• Bachelor's in EE, CS, Telecom, or related technical field
• US Citizenship required
• Active DoD Secret clearance required.
• Ability to travel up to 10%

What will help you on the job

Strongly Preferred (90-Day Ramp)

• AWS multi-account architecture at scale: Organizations, SCPs, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect, PrivateLink, landing zone design
• Hands-on SD-WAN configuration (Cisco Viptela, Juniper SSR, Viasat NetAgility, or equivalent)
• AWS GovCloud-specific experience
• Ansible / AWX playbook development
• GitLab CI/CD pipeline ownership
• Theoretical and operational understanding of network technologies to include dynamic routing protocols, VXLAN, MACsec, MPLS, IPsec/tunneling, and other common L2/L3 protocols
• Network Architecture and Design familiarity using Cisco, Junos, and Palo Alto
• MBSE tooling (Cameo/MagicDraw, Enterprise Architect, DOORS)
• FedRAMP Moderate, NIST 800-53 Rev 5, 800-171
• DoD 8140/8570 IASAE Level II (CISSP or CASP+), or able to obtain within 6 months
• Prior formal people management or technical lead experience
• Active DoD Secret clearance currently held
• Direct experience with US Government and DoD customers (USAF, USMC, Army, or Special Operations)

Preferred (Accelerators)

• DevSecOps experience in a defense acquisition environment
• OpenSearch or other SIEM rule development
• Identity stack: AWS Managed AD, NPS/RADIUS, SAML/OIDC, PrivacyIDEA or equivalent MFA
• STIG and CIS hardening hands-on
• AWS WorkSpaces in STIG-hardened configurations
• Type 1 encryption and HAIPE device integration
• TS/SCI clearance currently held
• SATCOM systems integration
• Edge cloud / forward compute architecture

Salary range

$177,500.00 - $280,000.00 / 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 $220,500.00- $330,500.00/ 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.