ViaSat

Project Engineer

ViaSat$141K — $224K *
Tempe, AZ 85281In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field.
  • 8+ years of engineering experience in phased array, radar, SATCOM, RF systems, or related technology.
  • Experience with phased array or electronically steered antenna systems for SATCOM/radar.
  • History of leading complex product developments from concept to qualification.
  • Strong knowledge of RF systems, antenna technologies, and digital beamforming.
  • Familiar with systems engineering processes and risk management.
  • Proven track record of technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

  • Lead multidisciplinary teams in the development and production of phased array products.
  • Act as the primary technical liaison among engineering, program management, and customers.
  • Coordinate activities across various engineering teams including RF, digital, and mechanical.
  • Drive planning, execution, and risk management throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Manage requirements development and technical decision-making processes.
  • Ensure technical solutions align with customer needs and project objectives.
  • Support integration activities including testing and customer demonstrations.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
  • Flexible work schedules to promote work-life balance.
  • Professional development opportunities to enhance skills.
  • Collaborative and innovative work environment.
  • Participation in the development of groundbreaking technology.
Full Job Description
What you'll do

Viasat is seeking a Project Engineer to lead the technical execution of advanced phased array product development programs supporting government and defense markets. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership across the full product lifecycle, encompassing the creation of requirements, architecture, building, integration, verification, qualification, and transition to production. This role will focus on electronically steered antenna (ESA) and phased array technologies for SATCOM and radar applications.

The Project Engineer will coordinate activities across systems, RF, digital, software, FPGA, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineering teams to ensure successful execution of cost, schedule, performance, and quality objectives. The role requires close collaboration with internal collaborators, customers, suppliers, and development partners on highly technical topics.

The day-to-day

The successful candidate will lead the technical execution of phased array product development programs for government and defense customers, working across multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver innovative SATCOM and radar solutions. This role requires balancing technical performance, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and customer requirements while driving products from concept through production.

Key responsibilities include:
    • Lead cross-functional engineering teams through the development, integration, verification, qualification, and production release of phased array products for SATCOM and radar applications.
    • Serve as the primary technical focal point between engineering, program management, manufacturing, supply chain, and customer stakeholders.
    • Coordinate activities across systems, RF, antenna, digital, FPGA, software, mechanical, and test engineering teams.
    • Drive technical planning, schedule execution, risk management, and issue resolution throughout the product lifecycle.
    • Lead requirements development, system architecture trades, design reviews, and technical decision-making processes.
    • Ensure technical solutions meet customer performance requirements while achieving program cost and schedule objectives.
    • Support subsystem and system-level integration activities, including lab validation, field testing, and customer demonstrations.
    • Manage technical risks, identify mitigation strategies, and drive timely closure of technical issues.
    • Collaborate with suppliers and development partners to support component selection, technology maturation, and product realization.
    • Support manufacturing readiness, qualification efforts, design for manufacturability initiatives, and transition to production.
    • Communicate program status, technical risks, and key milestones to engineering leadership and program stakeholders.
    • Contribute to product roadmap development and future technology strategy for phased array systems supporting government markets.

What you'll need

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • 8+ years of engineering experience in phased array, radar, SATCOM, RF systems, aerospace, defense, or related technology development.
  • Experience developing phased array or electronically steered antenna systems for SATCOM and/or radar applications.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex product development efforts from concept through qualification and production.
  • Strong understanding of RF systems, antenna systems, digital beamforming, and communication systems.
  • Experience with systems engineering processes, including requirements development, verification, validation, and risk management.
  • Proven technical leadership experience working across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain a US Top Secret/SCI clearance is required.

What will help you on the job

  • Experience with active electronically scanned array (AESA) technologies.
  • Experience with SATCOM terminals, radar systems, or advanced RF sensor systems.
  • Familiarity with phased array calibration, beam forming, and RF characterization techniques.
  • Experience with environmental and qualification testing.
  • Knowledge of military standards such as MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461.
  • Experience transitioning advanced technology products from development into production.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance.

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.

About ViaSat

ViaSat is a global communications company that provides satellite and wireless networking technology, services, and solutions. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. ViaSat offers a range of products and services, including satellite broadband internet, in-flight Wi-Fi, and secure networking systems for government and military customers. The company has more than 6,200 employees and operates in over 50 countries. ViaSat is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol VSAT.
Learn more about ViaSat
Size
7,000 employees
Market Cap
$2.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$2 million
Founded
1986
5 Year Trend
+12.3%
Revenue
$2.2 billion
NASDAQ

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