Senior Systems Engineer, Contested Operations

Viasat, Inc. • Duluth, GA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Viasat is hiring a Senior Systems Engineer for its ACT team to turn early concepts into working prototypes spanning satellite communications, PNT, and related systems. The role performs front-end analysis—including trade studies, feasibility assessments, and system architecture—to inform what the team builds and produces artifacts that support transition to scaled execution. As the team’s senior systems engineer, this person serves as the technical anchor for the system model, guides its structure and development, supports engineers building prototypes, and maintains coherence across architecture, interfaces, and analysis as designs evolve. The work is fast-paced and focused on prototyping rather than production hardening.

The role works across signal processing, embedded systems, FPGA, software, and integration and test. It includes prototype bring-up and testing, as well as maintaining the system model as the design changes. The position is onsite in Duluth, Georgia, with up to 10% travel. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 8 years of systems engineering or related experience.
• Systems engineering fundamentals, including requirements development, trade studies, interface definition, and analysis.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Working knowledge of RF, SATCOM/communications, or PNT domains.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create clear diagrams and documentation.
• Self-motivation and ability to drive work from concept to prototype implementation, working independently within the role’s area while collaborating across disciplines.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
• Ability to work onsite in Duluth, Georgia and travel up to 10%.

Nice To Haves

• Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) experience and familiarity with tools such as Cameo or Jama.
• Familiarity with open-architecture standards or modular open systems for defining interfaces across components and vendors.
• Ability to work with satellite ephemeris and orbital geometry to derive Doppler and geometry predictions.
• Familiarity with SATCOM terminals or satellite communications networks and how PNT services operate over them.
• Familiarity with digital phased arrays, beamforming, or timing distribution and synchronization.
• Exposure to electronic warfare, contested operations, or resilient PNT concepts.
• Familiarity with precision timing, including time transfer and synchronization.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Active DoD Secret or higher clearance.

Responsibilities

• Run trade studies and feasibility analyses to compare concepts and recommend an approach.
• Develop system and subsystem concepts and architectures, and define interfaces across RF, digital, software, and timing, including interfaces for components sourced from different groups and aligned to representative open-architecture interfaces.
• Model and analyze system performance using MATLAB and/or Python, including link budgets, RF cascades, and error budgets.
• Perform quantitative modeling and analysis of signal, propagation, and geometry effects to support PNT, signals-of-opportunity, and communications concepts.
• Produce specifications, models, and hand-off artifacts to support prototype transition and scaled build-out.
• Coordinate with signal processing, embedded, FPGA, software, and integration and test teams to keep the integrated system coherent and performing.
• Support prototype bring-up and testing, and keep the system model current as the design evolves.
• Drive the structure and development of the system model and guide engineers performing hands-on prototype work.

Benefits

• Medical, financial, and other benefits focused on holistic health and wellness.
• 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