Senior Project Engineer, Space & Mission Systems

Viasat, Inc.•Carlsbad, CA

23h

About The Position

Viasat is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to join its Government Space and Mission Systems team. The role leads planning, coordination, and delivery of complex engineering projects from concept through completion, with a focus on a next-generation miniGEO satellite system and advanced space network and enterprise program. The engineer translates mission needs and high-level requirements into actionable engineering plans, coordinates system-level design and integration across technical domains, and aligns engineering execution with program milestones. The role also supports proposals, planning, milestone preparation, and communication with internal stakeholders and government customers. The Senior Project Engineer provides leadership across the miniGEO program, leads integrated product teams and technical discussions, and coordinates internal teams and external vendors to manage technical scope, schedule, and performance. They guide engineering teams across satellite systems, payload, ground systems, networking, software, cybersecurity, integration and test, and operations. Responsibilities also include troubleshooting development and integration issues, managing program risks, preparing technical briefs and design reviews, supporting program and executive reviews, and ensuring design-control and quality compliance. The role champions appropriate adoption of AI tools in accordance with company guidance.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in system-level engineering, integration, or technical project leadership for complex communications, enterprise, or networking systems.
Ability to independently manage projects and prioritize multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.
Strong understanding of systems engineering fundamentals, including requirements flow-down, trade studies, verification and validation, and system architecture.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across diverse engineering domains and drive technical alignment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess technical information and recommend solutions.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
Effective communication skills, including the ability to document technical concepts and provide clear updates to stakeholders, including executive leadership.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to obtain a United States Secret Security Clearance.
Ability to travel up to 10%.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
Experience integrating complex communications systems, advanced networks, software systems, interfaces, and security architectures.
Exposure to secure communications networks, cybersecurity concepts, data platforms, and satellite or space system architectures.
Ability to quickly learn new technologies and apply established methodologies to support evolving business objectives.
Experience working with geographically distributed teams and coordinating multi-discipline engineering activities.
Active United States Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead technical execution of an advanced space network and enterprise program from early development through deployment.
Translate mission needs and high-level requirements into actionable engineering plans aligned across networks, enterprise systems, operations, software, and integration teams.
Coordinate system-level design, program execution development, interface definition, and integration activities across multiple domains.
Drive cross-functional collaboration and maintain consistent technical baselines, verification approaches, and integration readiness.
Support proposals, planning, milestone preparation, and technical communication with internal stakeholders and government customers.
Support the Program Director and provide leadership across the miniGEO program, coordinating technical and programmatic areas.
Lead integrated product teams and internal engineering discussions to keep the program on track.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to manage technical scope, schedule, and performance against mission-aligned milestones.
Align requirements, analysis, and modeling activities across the engineering lifecycle.
Guide teams spanning satellite systems, payload, ground systems, networking, software, cybersecurity, integration and test, and operations through implementation and test phases.
Troubleshoot development, integration, and deployment issues by identifying root causes and coordinating corrective actions.
Own the program Risk Management process, track risks and issues, and communicate updates to stakeholders.
Prepare and present technical briefs, design reviews, and engineering documentation.
Contribute to program management reviews, executive updates, and weekly status reporting.
Ensure design-control practices meet AS9100 and internal quality requirements, represent the program during audits, and oversee compliance with internal review and gate processes.
Champion the adoption of AI tools across project management, engineering, operations, and other functions in alignment with company AI guidance.