RF Payload Systems Engineer

Viasat, Inc. • Tempe, AZ

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The RF Payload Systems Engineer will develop innovative technologies and work closely with customers to build multifunction systems from concept through implementation. The systems support critical defense programs, and the work spans requirements development, architecture design, hardware integration, and implementation. The role is part of Viasat’s Strategic Space Systems organization in Tempe, Arizona, which develops full-lifecycle space programs ranging from chip-scale projects to complete space missions for government and commercial users. The engineer will collaborate across Viasat and with interdisciplinary teams to pursue and deliver strategic opportunities. The position serves as a technical RF interface to customers, translating hardware capabilities, constraints, and test results into system-level solutions and trade discussions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of experience as an RF or Systems Engineer, including hands-on RF hardware design, troubleshooting, integration, and testing at PWA, module, unit, and system levels.
• Demonstrated experience taking RF hardware through design, fabrication, assembly, integration, and verification, including bring-up, debugging, and ATP or qualification testing.
• Experience with RF payload integration and test campaigns from unit level through spacecraft or system-level integration and test.
• Bench-level RF test experience using network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and noise figure or power meters to isolate and resolve hardware issues.
• Working knowledge of RF circuit-level design and construction, including amplifiers, filters, mixers, switches, and interconnects, sufficient to understand system-performance, cost, and schedule tradeoffs.
• Experience diagnosing and determining root causes of RF hardware failures, such as through failure analysis and root cause corrective action processes.
• Familiarity with space-qualified RF hardware build standards.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams, including Business Development, Systems, Software, RF circuit design, FPGA/digital design, mechanical, and manufacturing/production.
• Experience in payload and electronics design for space applications, including reliability, EEE parts/materials/processes, and EMI/EMC requirements for space-based systems.
• Strong analytical and mathematics background, with experience in system modeling, simulation, and analysis, including power and communication link budgets.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering analysis, including requirements definition and flow-down, interface definitions, system test design and execution, and risk identification, tracking, and burn-down.
• Proficiency with RF and systems design engineering tools, including MATLAB, ADS, HFSS, and Genesys.
• Ability to serve as the technical RF interface to customers and translate RF hardware capabilities, constraints, and test results into system-level solutions and trade discussions.
• Experience working directly with Government customers to develop system-level requirements and solutions.
• Strong technical leadership, including mentoring engineers on hardware integration and test practices.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Understanding of model-based systems engineering techniques, including proficiency with MBSE software such as Cameo.
• Experience with satellite mission operations, including launch, in-orbit testing, and anomaly resolution.
• Experience with mission design and analysis tools such as STK.
• Experience taking a product from concept through prototyping, launch, and operation.
• Demonstrated leadership of space systems engineering teams.
• Ability to lead trade studies and architect innovative solutions to difficult technical problems.

Responsibilities

• Develop system requirements and architecture and support hardware integration and implementation.
• Work with customers to develop multifunction systems from concept through implementation.
• Design, troubleshoot, integrate, and test RF hardware at PWA, module, unit, and system levels.
• Take RF hardware through fabrication, assembly, integration, verification, bring-up, debugging, and acceptance or qualification testing.
• Support RF payload integration and test campaigns from unit level through spacecraft or system level.
• Diagnose and determine root causes of RF hardware failures, including through failure analysis and corrective-action processes.
• Perform system modeling, simulation, and analysis, including power and communication link budgets.
• Define and flow down requirements, define interfaces, design and execute system tests, and identify, track, and reduce risks.
• Serve as the technical RF interface to customers and translate hardware capabilities, constraints, and test results into system-level solutions and trade discussions.
• Work with Government customers to develop system-level requirements and solutions.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Systems, Software, RF circuit design, FPGA/digital design, mechanical, and manufacturing/production teams.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor engineers on hardware integration and test practices.
• Collaborate with Viasat partners to identify, pursue, capture, and complete high-priority opportunities supporting strategic growth goals.

Benefits

• Medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered.
• Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior