ViaSat

Technical Writer

ViaSat$82K — $129K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in technical documentation for software, hardware, or networked systems
  • Active Security Clearance
  • Excellent writing and analytical skills
  • Strong collaborative skills with engineering and program teams
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe tools
  • Ability to work independently and manage deadlines
  • Familiarity with Agile environments

Responsibilities

  • Turn complex concepts into clear documentation
  • Create and maintain installation manuals and system architecture docs
  • Collaborate with engineers to gather technical information
  • Lead documentation efforts across multiple projects
  • Establish documentation standards aligned with industry frameworks
  • Manage documentation content across various platforms
  • Support Agile development with evolving technical requirements

Benefits

  • Opportunities for career growth into documentation lead or strategist roles
  • Build expertise in secure communications and advanced networking
  • Mentorship opportunities for other technical writers
  • Influence documentation practices across various engineering programs
  • Work in a collaborative environment with modern tools and platforms
Full Job Description
What you'll do

We're looking for a Technical Writer who wants more than a documentation role-someone who will be embed directly with our Secure Network Systems (SNS) engineering team, helping shape how complex systems are understood, delivered, and maintained.

In this role, you will:
  • Turn complex hardware, software, and network concepts into clear, user-friendly documentation
  • Create and maintain guides like installation manuals, system architecture docs, and data flow diagrams
  • Collaborate directly with engineers, program managers, and cross-functional teams
  • Help shape documentation standards and improve how we share knowledge across teams
  • Work with modern tools and platforms (Agile workflows, wikis, repositories, and more)
  • Enable engineering teams to deliver faster and more efficiently through clear, high-quality documentation
  • Translate complex systems (networking, security, hardware/software) into accessible, actionable content

Serve as a trusted partner to engineers and program managers.

Career Growth

This role offers the opportunity to:
  • Grow into a documentation lead or strategist
  • Build expertise in secure communications and advanced networking systems
  • Mentor other writers and shape documentation best practices
  • Expand influence across programs and engineering organizations

The day-to-day

What You'll Do
  • Create and maintain technical documentation, including:
    • Installation, operation, and maintenance manuals
    • Security configurations and plans
    • System architecture and interface documentation
    • Data flow diagrams and technical deliverables
  • Collaborate closely with engineers and program teams to gather, interpret, and validate technical information
  • Lead documentation efforts across multiple projects within the Secure Network Systems (SNS) organization
  • Establish and enforce documentation standards aligned with industry frameworks (DoD, NIST, ISO)
  • Manage and organize content across documentation tools and repositories (e.g., wikis, SharePoint, version-controlled systems)
  • Support Agile development environments and evolving technical requirements


This is an embedded role. You'll work directly within engineering teams-building context quickly, establishing trust, and playing a key role in how work gets delivered.

Why This Role Is Unique
  • Mission impact - Your work supports secure communications used in real-world, high-stakes environments
  • Embedded collaboration - Work directly within engineering teams, not as a detached service organization
  • Ownership & Influence - Lead documentation strategy and execution for key programs
  • Cross-functional exposure - Collaborate with engineers, architects, and program leaders
  • Portfolio-building & Variety - Create documentation you'll be proud to show, ranging a broad variety of content types and subjects

What you'll need

Requirements
  • Current Security Clearance
  • Willingness to work onsite in Carlsbad and collaborate across teams


Required Qualifications
  • Experience creating technical documentation for software, hardware, or networked systems
  • Strong curiosity and the ability to understand and communicate complex technical concepts
  • Excellent writing, interviewing, and analytical skills
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and program teams
  • Strong ability to work independently and maintain deadlines
  • Extensive experience with Microsoft Office tools (including Visio)
  • Experience with Adobe tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • U.S. citizenship (required for this role)


Tools & Environment

You'll work in a modern, collaborative environment using:
  • Documentation repositories and platforms (AI, GitHub, Confluence, SharePoint, Wikis)
  • Creative software from Adobe, MadCap, Microsoft 365, SolidWorks, and others
  • Version control and content management tools
  • Agile workflows and cross-functional collaboration
  • Engineering artifacts such as schematics, architecture diagrams, and interface documents

What will help you on the job

Bonus Points if You Have
  • Experience with networking, cybersecurity, or system architecture
  • Familiarity with DoD, NIST, or ISO documentation standards
  • Experience working in Agile environments
  • Familiarity with tools such as:
    • Confluence, SharePoint, or wiki platforms
    • Version control systems (e.g., Oricle Agile, Perforce)
    • Exposure to CAD tools, diagrams, or visual storytelling
  • Experience with technical diagrams and structured documentation formats


What Makes You Stand Out
  • You enjoy learning how systems work - not just documenting them
  • You're comfortable talking to engineers and translating their expertise into something clear
  • You care about good documentation, not just getting the job done

Salary range

$82,000.00 - $129,500.00 / 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 $102,000.00- $153,000.00/ 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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