Senior 5G / LTE Systems Engineer

Viasat, Inc.

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Viasat is rapidly growing its advanced wireless capabilities across 5G, LTE, and dedicated wireless access networks! We are seeking a 5G/LTE Systems Engineer to serve as a technical authority across system design, RAN architecture, network integration, optimization, and large-scale deployment programs. The day-to-day 5G / LTE / Private Wireless Architecture Lead the design and implementation of private 5G and LTE systems, including core-to-RAN integration, mobility management, traffic engineering, and enterprise/mission-critical applications. Design radio access architectures, including CU/DU splits, fronthaul/mid-haul/backhaul planning, and system-level performance optimization. Develop and test network slicing capabilities for traffic separation, QoS, and SLA-driven service enablement. Architect advanced automation frameworks, RAN policy engines, and intelligent control platforms. O-RAN / Open RAN Engineering Lead system engineering for open RAN architectures, including interoperability testing and disaggregated component integration. Support deployments across bare metal, virtualized, and cloud-native environments, ensuring performance, scalability, and resilience. Conduct software assessment, system tuning, parameter management, and release certification. Satellite & Terrestrial Network Integration Integrate RAN workloads over high-latency and variable-latency transport, including GEO/LEO satellite mid-haul connectivity. Optimize CU–DU interfaces, resiliency strategies, and buffer handling for satellite-linked access nodes. Field Engineering, Troubleshooting & Network Optimization Lead complex troubleshooting across RF layers, transport, IP networking, and RAN software. Perform KPI analysis, performance audits, RF sweeps, and site integration. Support acceptance testing, cutovers, staging, and maintenance window activities. Travel up to 60% to support field operations, engineering validation, and deployment readiness. Automation, Tools & Documentation Develop scripts, validation tools, monitoring utilities, and deployment frameworks. Create MOPs, training material, operational guidelines, and system documentation. Cross-Functional Technical Leadership Serve as SME for 5G/LTE, private wireless, open RAN, RF integration, and transport architectures. Collaborate with product, engineering, R&D, operations, NOC, and construction teams. Provide guidance during architecture reviews, design cycles, and deployment planning.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in wireless engineering, including LTE and 5G RAN systems.
Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field or equivalent years of experience.
Expertise with open RAN architectures and disaggregated radio access components.
Strong RF knowledge: propagation, antenna systems, DAS, and radio parameter tuning.
Experience with private wireless (CBRS), enterprise mobility solutions, and mixed indoor/outdoor deployments.
Strong IP networking background (routing, switching, QoS, VLANs, IPv4/IPv6).
Experience with virtualization, containers, cloud-native infrastructures (Kubernetes, OpenStack).
Proficiency with RAN/system troubleshooting tools and OSS/EMS platforms.
Ability to integrate new features, evaluate software releases, and resolve system-level issues.
Ability to lead technical teams and support large-scale deployment activities.
Strong communication and documentation skills.
Proven experience managing migration programs with minimal service impact.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 60% to support nationwide deployments.
US citizenship required
Must be able to work onsite at our College Station TX location; hybrid.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of 3GPP Rel-15–18 standards, NSA/SA operations, and 5G Core.
Familiarity with O-RAN Alliance specifications and orchestration frameworks.
Experience integrating RAN systems into satellite or constrained-latency transport networks.
Scripting experience (Python, Bash); CI/CD familiarity.
Understanding of ZTP, telemetry systems, and API-driven configurations.
Knowledge of 5G/CBRS security frameworks.
Experience supporting federal or mission-critical communications.
Desired: CBRS CPI, cloud certifications, advanced wireless certifications.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and implementation of private 5G and LTE systems, including core-to-RAN integration, mobility management, traffic engineering, and enterprise/mission-critical applications.
Design radio access architectures, including CU/DU splits, fronthaul/mid-haul/backhaul planning, and system-level performance optimization.
Develop and test network slicing capabilities for traffic separation, QoS, and SLA-driven service enablement.
Architect advanced automation frameworks, RAN policy engines, and intelligent control platforms.
Lead system engineering for open RAN architectures, including interoperability testing and disaggregated component integration.
Support deployments across bare metal, virtualized, and cloud-native environments, ensuring performance, scalability, and resilience.
Conduct software assessment, system tuning, parameter management, and release certification.
Integrate RAN workloads over high-latency and variable-latency transport, including GEO/LEO satellite mid-haul connectivity.
Optimize CU–DU interfaces, resiliency strategies, and buffer handling for satellite-linked access nodes.
Lead complex troubleshooting across RF layers, transport, IP networking, and RAN software.
Perform KPI analysis, performance audits, RF sweeps, and site integration.
Support acceptance testing, cutovers, staging, and maintenance window activities.
Travel up to 60% to support field operations, engineering validation, and deployment readiness.
Develop scripts, validation tools, monitoring utilities, and deployment frameworks.
Create MOPs, training material, operational guidelines, and system documentation.
Serve as SME for 5G/LTE, private wireless, open RAN, RF integration, and transport architectures.
Collaborate with product, engineering, R&D, operations, NOC, and construction teams.
Provide guidance during architecture reviews, design cycles, and deployment planning.