Program Architect, Space Infrastructure

Viasat, Inc.

About The Position

The Program Architect helps launch new space programs by creating the technical, digital, and operational foundations needed for success. You will shape how programs begin, how teams work together, and how digital, engineering, and manufacturing systems fit into a coherent plan. This role brings structure to early development, builds clear roadmaps, and sets up the tools and processes that enable teams to move with confidence and speed. Your work will directly enable engineering velocity across the organization.

Requirements

5 years of experience in industrial engineering, systems engineering, digital engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations engineering, or program architecture
Experience contributing to engineering or manufacturing workflows, digital tools, factory studies, or early program structures
Experience with process modeling, simulation tools, capacity studies, or facility layout development
Ability to collaborate across mechanical, RF, software, AIT, ground, and operations teams
Experience developing assumptions, evaluating alternatives, and creating structured plans for complex engineering efforts
Strong analytical skills and the ability to organize information, anticipate constraints, and design clear solution paths
Strong communication skills for technical teams, leadership, suppliers, and partners

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with digital transformation, digital manufacturing, analytics, or data‑driven decision making
Experience evaluating automation opportunities or developing smart‑factory concepts
Experience supporting early program startup, factory planning, or architectural definition
Ability to quickly learn new tools, processes, or engineering methods
Strong relationship‑building skills and comfort operating across diverse engineering and manufacturing teams
A practical, structured approach to problem solving and an ability to steer teams toward the most effective path forward
A mindset oriented toward fast execution, continuous improvement, and finding the quickest workable path without sacrificing clarity or quality

Responsibilities

Develop program architectures that outline system structure, development flow, digital ecosystems, manufacturing assumptions, and operational concepts
Build startup frameworks for new programs including tool selection, digital thread structure, configuration practices, and early integration planning
Work across mechanical, RF, software, AIT, ground, and operations teams to ensure early program structure aligns with mission goals
Establish digital engineering foundations including modeling standards, simulation environments, data flow patterns, and traceability structures
Partner with industrial and manufacturing engineering to create factory layout concepts, simulation studies, capacity assessments, production assumptions, and early producibility evaluations
Support automation and workflow‑design studies to identify opportunities that streamline execution and reduce cycle time
Contribute to R&D planning by evaluating emerging technologies and mapping research into program roadmaps
Build multi‑year development roadmaps that integrate engineering maturity, manufacturing capability growth, digital tool progression, and resource planning
Support make, buy, and partner decisions with organized system‑level assessments
Help identify early constraints, key drivers, and simple, effective paths that keep programs moving quickly
Facilitate program reviews, document decisions, and ensure consistent follow‑through across engineering and operations
Communicate program architecture, digital strategy recommendations, and roadmap updates clearly to leadership and technical teams
Promote fast, focused engineering execution by removing friction, improving clarity, and ensuring teams have the right tools and workflows to accelerate delivery