Program Field Engineering Lead

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

As a Program Field Engineering Lead at Viasat, you will serve as the operational and technical leader responsible for field engineering execution supporting satellite communications systems, RF infrastructure, and ground network operations for a critical government mission. You will lead geographically dispersed engineering teams responsible for installation, integration, sustainment, modernization, troubleshooting, and operational readiness of complex communications systems deployed worldwide.

The day-to-day

You will partner with stakeholders to ensure successful field execution, systems availability, technical excellence and mission success. Additionally, you'll provide leadership across field engineering teams while supporting activities to ensure strong operational execution. Your expertise will help ensure systems remain reliable, supportable, and operationally effective while enabling future growth and mission expansion.

• Serve as the primary Field Engineering Lead responsible for organization-level maintenance, depot-level maintenance, logistics support, corrective maintenance actions and overall operational readiness
• Lead geographically dispersed teams of field engineers, technicians, and subcontractors supporting domestic and international customer sites
• Provide technical leadership for the installation, integration, testing, certification, sustainment and modernization of satellite communications, RF systems, and supporting infrastructure
• Direct field operations involving antenna systems, modems, frequency converters, GPS equipment, servers, network infrastructure and associated communications technologies
• Serve as the primary technical interface between customers, program leadership, engineering organizations, logistics teams and field operations personnel
• Lead planning and execution for site deployments, technology refreshes, modernization efforts, operational upgrades, commissioning activities, acceptance testing and customer turnover
• Manage resolution of complex technical issues, drive root cause investigations and corrective actions to improve system availability, reliability and mission performance
• Provide technical leadership during critical outages, service disruptions, and mission-impacting events requiring rapid technical response and cross-functional coordination
• Coordinate engineering, logistics, supply chain, cybersecurity, software, networking, and operations organizations to ensure successful program execution and field support
• Lead workforce planning, staffing strategies, resource allocation, field readiness activities and subcontractor performance across multiple programs and customer locations
• Develop and maintain technical procedures, installation documentation, maintenance processes and operational work instructions supporting field execution
• Support business development and proposal activities through development of Statements of Work (SOWs), Basis of Estimates (BOEs), staffing plans, technical approaches and execution strategies
• Evaluate operational risks, develop mitigation plans, and provide performance reporting, schedule assessments, and strategic recommendations to program and corporate leadership
• Mentor engineers and technicians while fostering technical excellence, professional development and strong customer relationships through responsive mission-focused support

What you'll need

• 10+ years' experience supporting field engineering, SATCOM and RF systems, telecom infrastructure and sustainment of ground antenna systems
• Proven experience leading engineering teams, technical personnel and field operations organizations in support of complex technical programs
• Demonstrated experience supporting Department of Defense, Intelligence Community or other government customers operating mission-critical communications system
• Solid understanding of SATCOM and RF systems, antenna systems, networking infrastructure, and supporting ground systems to include the installation, integration, testing, sustainment and modernization activities
• Experience supporting proposal development, including Statements of Work (SOWs), Basis of Estimates (BOEs), staffing strategies, resource planning, and execution planning
• Demonstrated success managing technical risk, operational challenges, mission-critical troubleshooting, and resolution of sophisticated system issues
• Experience leading subcontractors, vendors, and third-party support organizations to achieve program and operational objectives
• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Business or equivalent experience
• U.S. Government position. US Citizenship required
• Active DoD TS/SCI security clearance
• Ability to travel up to 30%

What will help you on the job

• Technical background supporting satellite ground systems, RF communications infrastructure, antenna systems and supporting communications networks.
• Experience working in secure DoD and IC environments
• Validated experience handling COMSEC
• Experience leading geographically dispersed field organizations supporting worldwide organization-level and depot-level maintenance, sustainment, and operational readiness activities
• Knowledge of system integration, verification, validation, acceptance testing, certification and field deployment processes for complex communications systems
• Experience supporting communications systems in contested, austere, remote or mission-critical operating environments
• Familiarity with lifecycle sustainment practices, including capital planning, procurement, logistics support, reliability improvement and operational readiness methodologies
• Experience leading modernization initiatives, technical refresh programs, technology insertion efforts and corrective action programs resulting from root cause and failure investigations
• Experience developing workforce strategies, resource plans, staffing models while mentoring engineers, technicians, and emerging leaders

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. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.