AI&T Test Engineer - Special Test Equipment, Electrical Ground Support Equipment

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

Overview

Viasat's Space Infrastructure Team designs, builds, and operates satellites that deliver global connectivity in demanding environments. As part of the Integration and Test team, your work will contribute directly to payload performance, schedule, and on-orbit mission success.

This role is for an Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer focused on Payload Special Test Equipment (STE) and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE). You will be responsible for designing, developing, integrating, and supporting test systems used to verify advanced space-based communications units and payloads throughout development, qualification, and flight integration activities.

You will work closely with systems, payload, RF, digital, software, and manufacturing teams to translate verification requirements into practical and scalable test solutions.

What You Will Do

• Design and develop STE and EGSE solutions used for payload integration and verification
• Translate payload and subsystem requirements into test architectures, test procedures, and automation solutions
• Support checkout and verification activities across unit, subsystem, and payload levels
• Develop and maintain automated test capabilities that improve test efficiency and repeatability
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to troubleshoot hardware and test system issues
• Contribute to test readiness, integration planning, and verification execution

The day-to-day

Architecture & Requirements

• Own development of STE and EGSE architectures for RF, digital, telemetry, timing, and power interfaces
• Derive test equipment requirements from payload verification needs
• Participate in test planning and verification strategy development
• Review design documentation and provide feedback on testability and integration considerations

Test Development & Integration

• Design and integrate test hardware, harnessing, interface electronics, instrumentation, and support equipment
• Develop automated test procedures and software tools
• Integrate commercial test equipment with custom hardware and software solutions
• Support unit, subsystem, and payload integration activities

Operations & Execution

• Complete functional, performance, and environmental testing of payload hardware
• Support test readiness reviews and test campaigns
• Analyze test data and document test results
• Maintain test configurations, procedures, and supporting documentation

Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Develop automation scripts and software tools using Python, LabVIEW, C#, or similar languages
• Improve test efficiency through automation and process enhancements
• Support configuration management and lifecycle maintenance of STE and EGSE assets

Troubleshooting & Analysis

• Troubleshoot hardware, software, instrumentation, and integration issues
• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions
• Work with design engineering teams to resolve test and integration anomalies

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Typically 4-8 years of experience developing, integrating, or supporting STE, EGSE, or automated test systems
• Experience working with electronic, communications, aerospace, defense, or satellite hardware
• Understanding of hardware integration and verification methodologies
• Experience using laboratory instrumentation and automated test equipment
• Experience with software scripting or automation development
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills
• U.S. citizenship required

What will help you on the job

• Experience supporting spacecraft, payload, communications, or RF systems
• Experience developing EGSE or payload checkout systems
• Familiarity with telemetry, command and control, and data acquisition architectures
• Experience with Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, C#, or similar development environments
• Familiarity with RF test equipment including:
  • Vector Network Analyzers
  • Spectrum Analyzers
  • Signal Generators
  • Power Meters
• Experience performing environmental or qualification testing
• Experience integrating custom hardware with commercial instrumentation
• Knowledge of configuration management and verification processes
• Experience working in fast-paced integration and test environments

Salary range

$120,500.00 - $190,000.00 / 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 $149,500.00- $224,500.00/ 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.