Principal Engineer - Government Aviation

About us

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.

What you'll do

We are currently seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Principle Engineer to support our Government Aviation Communications Systems business. In this role you will lead technical definition and execution across multiple programs and projects. You will work closely with Program Management in managing various engineering projects in an organization chartered to deliver high-quality, cutting-edge communications system solutions for government customers. These projects entail system engineering, engineering development, engineering validation and verification, and system certification.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Create and maintain strong relationships with the customer base and be involved in the integration, test and deployment of new mobility solutions as the Technical Point of Contact for the Business Area
• Drive documentation of CONOPs, System Requirements, and technical program reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR)
• Ensuring customer technical requirements and expectations for satellite communication modems, terminal equipment and software are met, or exceeded
• Apply your project engineering skills to contribute to a multi-function engineering team through verbal and written interactions with the customer, industry partners, and Viasat senior leadership
• Lead projects that require integrated teams across the government and industry partners
• Ensuring designs meet intent of military and/or FAA certification

The day-to-day

Your technical expertise and passion will be integral to help us design new networks and service existing programs. You will work closely with our Business Development team and directly with our customers to define system requirements, and will work with our Program Managers and engineers to find practical solutions meeting these requirements. You will be a primary point of contact for key technical communications with our customers and provide best-of-class service and support throughout the entire program life-cycle while participating in business area growth.

What you'll need

• 10+ years proven experience as a Project Engineer and/or Systems Engineer
• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a Technical Field
• Strong customer interface skills with ability to work in high pressure situations professionally
• Solid written and verbal communication skills with an ability to present technical details at an abstracted level
• Self starter who can take minimal direction or abstract ideas and turn them into tangible requirements and objectives
• Proven experience leading and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including Business Development, program management, engineering, and operations
• Experience defining requirements from high level system requirements to low level subsystem requirements
• Engineering development process experience
• Working knowledge of communications system networking equipment, including configuration, application and troubleshooting of SATCOM equipment, networking equipment, Linux based systems, and end user applications
• Ability to drive technical contractual requirements to deliver on-time
• US Government Program, US Citizenship Required
• Active DOD Secret Clearance
• Ability to travel up to 25% both CONUS and OCONUS

What will help you on the job

• Master's degree in a technical discipline
• Deep understanding of Communications System technologies for use on mobility platforms
• Understanding of the government's airborne communications requirements that support C3, Airlift, and ISR mission sets
• Knowledge of the government's program teams and organizations responsible for executing customer requirements
• PMP Certification
• Knowledge of production flows and processes Aerospace engineering discipline with aircraft certification experience
• Ability to perform project estimates and resource planning accurately
• Active DOD 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

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.