Senior Systems Engineer – Communication & Sensing Systems

Viasat, Inc.•Carlsbad, CA

About The Position

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team. Join a small, fast-paced team within Viasat’s Government Space and Emerging Technologies group as a Senior Systems Engineer. In this role, you will: Lead system-level design and analysis for advanced communication and sensing systems, ensuring robust performance across diverse mission scenarios. Develop and validate algorithms for signal processing, control theory, and system optimization, supporting both communication and sensing applications. Drive waveform design and adaptation, enabling innovative solutions for emerging technologies and mission-critical requirements. Collaborate across disciplines—including systems engineering (requirements), firmware, software, and integration & test—to deliver fully integrated solutions from concept through deployment. You’ll be at the center of algorithmic development and system integration for complex systems. Your responsibilities will include: Translating mission objectives into technical solutions, ensuring alignment with system requirements and performance goals. Implementing algorithms in firmware and software, bridging theoretical models with practical deployment. Participating in system bring-up and integration, troubleshooting and optimizing performance during hardware/software integration phases. Partnering with analysis and requirements teams to maintain consistency and traceability throughout the development lifecycle.

Requirements

Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Electrical or Computer Engineering, with emphasis on Control Theory, Signal Processing, and/or Digital Communications.
10+ years of experience in algorithmic system design, modeling, and deployment for complex systems.
Proficiency in programming (C++, C, MATLAB, Python) for algorithm development and simulation.
Deep expertise in RF systems and waveform design, including trade studies and performance analysis.
Strong communication skills, capable of delivering technical briefings and collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams.
Proven ability to perform system-level analysis, translating high-level requirements into actionable technical designs.
Organizational and leadership skills, managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Active US Secret or Top Secret clearance, and willingness to travel up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with digital hardware platforms (processors, memory, FPGAs, CPLDs, microcontrollers, networking interfaces).
Familiarity with systems engineering processes, including requirements flow-down, verification, and validation.
Experience collaborating with geographically distributed teams, driving integration across hardware, software, and algorithmic domains.
Background in modeling and simulation tools, supporting trade studies and performance optimization for complex system architectures.
Active Top Secret clearance with SCI or SAP.

Responsibilities

Lead system-level design and analysis for advanced communication and sensing systems, ensuring robust performance across diverse mission scenarios.
Develop and validate algorithms for signal processing, control theory, and system optimization, supporting both communication and sensing applications.
Drive waveform design and adaptation, enabling innovative solutions for emerging technologies and mission-critical requirements.
Collaborate across disciplines—including systems engineering (requirements), firmware, software, and integration & test—to deliver fully integrated solutions from concept through deployment.
Translating mission objectives into technical solutions, ensuring alignment with system requirements and performance goals.
Implementing algorithms in firmware and software, bridging theoretical models with practical deployment.
Participating in system bring-up and integration, troubleshooting and optimizing performance during hardware/software integration phases.
Partnering with analysis and requirements teams to maintain consistency and traceability throughout the development lifecycle.