Systems AI&T - Satellite Payload Lead

Viasat; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 141,500 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits including health and wellness offerings

Additional cash or stock incentives

Job summary

Viasat in Carlsbad, California, is seeking a Technical Lead for Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) of satellite communications payloads. You will oversee development and delivery of Payload Support/Test Equipment and ensure the readiness of payloads for integration and launch.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, 8+ years of related experience, and expertise in RF test equipment. Viasat offers a competitive salary range of $141,500 to $224,000 annually.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in systems, integration & test, or payload test engineering.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage technical execution.
• Must be a US Citizen.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payload AI&T strategy, including STE, GSE, and GSW development and delivery.
• Manage schedules, milestones, and cross-functional coordination to ensure on-time delivery.
• Coordinate delivery of payload flight hardware, test hardware, documentation, and training.

Skills

Experience leading complex test system or payload integration efforts

Strong understanding of spacecraft payloads

Strong communication skills

Experience developing test plans, procedures, and documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field

Tools

RF test equipment

Python

MATLAB

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

You will serve as the technical lead for Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) of a satellite communications payload, driving the development and delivery of Payload Support/Test Equipment (STE) and associated ground systems. This role spans design, integration, and delivery of payload STEs to the satellite bus provider, ensuring payload readiness for system-level integration and launch.

You will lead the architecture, design for manufacturing (DFM), and implementation of test infrastructure, including ground support equipment (GSE), ground software (GSW), and payload testbeds. This includes development of emulators and user interfaces to support efficient payload verification and operations.

The day-to-day

• Lead end-to-end payload AI&T strategy, including STE, GSE, and GSW development and delivery.
• Define architecture and design of payload testbeds, including hardware, harnessing, and interface electronics.
• Drive design for Payload manufacturing, build plans, test plans, procedures, and build travelers from start of payload integration through launch.
• Lead the design, creation, and implementation of all payload test procedures and their scripted automations.
• Oversee emulator development and associated software interfaces for test and operations.
• Support integration and test activities through I&T, including anomaly resolution and system validation.
• Coordinate delivery of payload flight hardware, test hardware, documentation, and training to the satellite bus provider.
• Manage schedules, milestones, and cross-functional coordination to ensure on-time delivery.
• Ensure proper documentation, configuration control, and compliance with established processes.
• Drive risk identification, mitigation, and communication across stakeholders.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in systems, integration & test, or payload test engineering.
• Experience leading complex test system or payload integration efforts.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft payloads, interfaces, and system integration.
• Experience developing test plans, procedures, and build documentation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage technical execution.
• Strong communication skills and customer/stakeholder interface experience.
• Strong experience with RF test equipment including spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Ability to travel up to 20%

What will help you on the job

• Experience with supporting GSE/GSW development and delivery for space systems.
• Experience designing scalable testbeds and STE architectures.
• Background in emulator development and test automation frameworks.
• Experience supporting environmental qualification testing of spaceflight RF hardware
• Familiarity with Python or MATLAB for post data processing.
• Experience with InControl or COSMOS software for payload level testing.
• Experience supporting satellite bus integration and launch campaigns.
• Familiarity with system-level integration, verification, and validation processes.
• Experience in schedule management, risk management, and program execution.

Salary range

$141,500.00 - $224,000.00 / 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 $176,000.00- $264,000.00/ 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. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.