Systems Test Engineer - Optical Systems

About us

At Viasat, the work you do helps people stay connected in ways that matter, from everyday moments to critical missions across air, land, sea, and space.

We’re a place for people who are curious, bold, and motivated by meaningful work. Here, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, explore new possibilities, and grow your career in ways that align with your interests and goals. When you're ready to take on something new, you'll find leaders who support your development and help you turn your ambition into action.

What you'll do

As a Systems Test Engineer - Optical Systems, you will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive test strategies for optical communication systems while also supporting system-level test activities across a broad portfolio of products and technologies.

You will collaborate with systems and design engineers early in the development lifecycle to ensure testability is incorporated into product designs and verification approaches. You will lead test planning, test system architecture, automation development, troubleshooting, and performance characterization activities while providing technical leadership across multiple programs.

You will be expected to operate with minimal supervision, influence technical decisions, and drive test solutions that support development, qualification, manufacturing, and customer acceptance testing.

The day-to-day

• Define verification and validation strategies for optical systems, subsystems, and integrated hardware platforms.
• Work with Systems Engineering to derive test requirements from customer and program specifications.
• Develop system-level test plans, procedures, validation methods, and verification matrices.
• Design and implement optical, electrical, RF, and system-level test architectures, fixtures, and calibration methodologies.
• Develop automated test solutions using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C#, or similar tools.
• Design and execute optical characterization testing including:
• Optical power and loss measurements
• Link performance testing
• BER (Bit Error Rate) testing
• Receiver sensitivity verification
• Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) validation
• Environmental and qualification testing
• Support testing of integrated systems containing optical, RF, digital, networking, and embedded technologies.
• Analyze test data and generate performance assessments against system requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex optical, electrical, software, mechanical, networking, and system integration issues.
• Develop and maintain calibration plans for automated test equipment and optical instrumentation.
• Support system integration, field testing, demonstrations, environmental testing, and customer acceptance activities.
• Lead root-cause investigations and corrective action efforts for development and production hardware.
• Generate technical documentation, test reports, procedures, and design review materials.
• Present technical findings to program leadership, customers, and engineering teams.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in systems test methodologies, automation, and best practices.
• Influence system architecture and design decisions to improve testability, manufacturability, reliability, and operational performance.
• Support proposal activities, technical volume development, and cost estimating efforts as needed.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives supporting test automation, standardization, and operational efficiency across the Systems Test organization.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience designing, developing, integrating, and testing complex hardware systems.
• Experience developing and executing test strategies for fiber-optic, free-space optical (FSO), photonic, electro-optical, RF, digital, or integrated communication systems.
• Experience developing automated test solutions using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C#, or similar programming languages.
• Experience designing, integrating, and troubleshooting automated test systems.
• Experience with optical laboratory instrumentation such as:
  • Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA)
  • Optical Power Meters
  • BER Test Sets
  • High-Speed Oscilloscopes
  • Optical Attenuators
  • Network Analyzers
  • Signal Generators
• Experience performing data analysis and performance characterization of complex systems.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot multidisciplinary system-level issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead technical efforts and influence engineering decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments with evolving requirements.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain Secret Clearance
• Travel:
  • ~10% if located in the Carlsbad, CA facility
  • as needed if located elsewhere
    
    
    

What will help you on the job

• Experience with free-space optical communications systems.
• Experience developing optical link budgets and system performance models.
• Experience using MATLAB, Zemax, Code V, STK, OptiSystem, or similar modeling tools.
• Experience with RF, digital communications, networking, embedded systems, or satellite communications technologies.
• Experience developing automated production or acceptance test systems.
• Experience supporting satellite communications, space systems, or DoD programs.
• Experience with environmental qualification testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, and shock.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Knowledge of optical alignment, wavefront analysis, and laser system characterization.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.
• Active Secret, TS, or TS/SCI clearance.

Salary range

$141,500.00 - $224,000.00 / annually. For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $176,000.00- $264,000.00/ annually



At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat’s comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.
EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.