Bachelor's Degree in engineering or STEM discipline
Minimum of 3 years in communication systems design, integration, and testing
Proficiency in satellite systems engineering, including mobile satellite systems
Hands-on experience with engineering-model modems and RF bench equipment
Familiarity with IP routing basics
Foundational knowledge of Linux/Unix operating systems
Strong interpersonal communication skills
Excellent written and verbal communication capabilities
Responsibilities
Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to translate needs into technical concepts
Design and build prototype L-band user terminals and network topologies
Author technical specifications and manage vendor timelines for external prototyping
Set up and document tests to validate new hardware and network architectures
Utilize RF test equipment to measure signal quality and correlate data
Package proof-of-concepts and test data for hand-off to core engineering team
Benefits
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge satellite communication technologies
Collaborative environment with multidisciplinary teams
Exposure to emerging technologies like 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks
Hands-on experience with prototyping and testing
Potential for career growth within a leading technology company
Full Job Description
We are seeking a forward-thinking Associate SATCOM Systems Engineer to join the Advanced Concepts and Technology (ACT) team at Viasat Government. In this role, you will help drive the next generation of satellite communications by focusing on conceptual design, proof of concept testing, and rapid prototyping, with an emphasis on L-band network topologies, services, and hardware solutions.
You will analyze customer needs, interface with internal and external stakeholders, and track industry trends to define early-stage concepts. Acting as an innovation bridge, your validated prototypes and proof-of-concepts will ultimately be handed off to our core engineering team for full-scale development into formal products and network solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
Requirements Gathering: Collaborate with internal teams, external stakeholders, and customers to translate operational needs and market trends into technical concepts.
Concept & Prototyping: Envision, design, scope, research, acquire, and build prototype L-band user terminals and supporting network topologies.
Vendor & Outsource Management: Author technical specification documents and statement of work (SOW) requirements for outside vendors; manage vendor timelines and deliverables when prototyping is executed externally.
Testing & Validation: Set up, execute, and document bench-level and over the air test configurations to validate new user terminal hardware and network architectures.
System Evaluation: Utilize RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters) to measure signal quality, gain, and frequency response, correlating real-world bench data against theoretical link budgets.
Core Hand-off: Package successful proof-of-concepts, test data, and architectural designs to seamlessly transition projects to the core engineering team for formal productization.
Requirements:
Education: Bachelor's Degree in an engineering or STEM discipline.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of engineering experience in communication systems design, integration, and testing.
SATCOM Expertise: Proficiency in satellite systems engineering, including the integration and deployment of mobile satellite systems; knowledge of GEO and LEO orbit satellite communications.
Hardware & Testing: Hands-on experience configuring engineering-model modems, executing initial system bring-up, and using standard RF bench equipment.
Networking Fundamentals: Familiarity with IP routing basics (IP addressing, subnet masks, gateways, DHCP Client/Server, and VLAN tagging).
LINUX Familiarization: Foundational knowledge of Linux/Unix operating systems (CLI tools, file management, and basic shell scripting).
Soft Skills: Strong interpersonal communication skills with a proven ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication capabilities to support technical reporting, vendor coordination, and team presentations.
Preferred Qualifications:
Emerging Tech: Exposure to or familiarization with 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and New Radio (NR) standards, including hybrid satellite-terrestrial conceptual design.
Software & Modeling: Experience with modeling software such as MATLAB, STK (Systems Tool Kit), Python for data analysis, or advanced Excel link budgets.
