Senior Systems Engineer - Contested Operations

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 Senior Systems Engineer on the ACT team, you’ll turn early ideas into working prototypes — spanning satellite communications, PNT, and related systems — to test technical and operational hypotheses. You’ll own the front-end analysis — trade studies, feasibility assessments, and system architecture — that shapes what we build, and you’ll produce the clear artifacts that let a concept move forward for execution at scale. As the team’s senior systems engineer, you’ll be the technical anchor for the system model — driving how it’s structured and built, guiding the engineers doing the hands-on build, and keeping architecture, interfaces, and analysis coherent as prototypes evolve. This is a fast-paced, integrative role focused on prototyping, not production hardening.

The day-to-day

• Run trade studies and feasibility analysis to compare concepts and recommend an approach.
• Develop system and subsystem concepts and architectures, and define interfaces (ICDs) across RF, digital, software, and timing — including for components sourced from different groups, aligned to representative open-architecture interfaces.
• Model and analyze system performance in MATLAB and/or Python (for example, 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 clean specifications, models, and hand-off artifacts so prototypes can transition for build-out at scale.
• Work closely across signal processing, embedded, FPGA, software, and integration & test to keep the integrated system coherent and performing — supporting prototype bring-up and testing, and keeping the system model current as the design evolves.

What you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of systems engineering or related experience.
• Systems engineering fundamentals: 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, including clear diagrams and documentation.
• Self-motivated and comfortable driving from concept to prototype implementation — working independently within your area while collaborating across disciplines.
• US citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
• This is an onsite role based in Duluth, GA, with up to 10% travel.

What will help you on the job

• Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and tools such as Cameo or Jama.
• Familiarity with open-architecture standards / modular open systems (for example, a Government Reference Architecture) for defining interfaces across components and vendors.
• Ability to work with satellite ephemeris and orbital geometry to derive Doppler/geometry predictions.
• Familiarity with SATCOM terminals or satellite communications networks, and how positioning, navigation, and timing services ride on 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 (time transfer, synchronization) given the team’s timing work.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• An active DoD Secret (or higher) 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.