Senior Project Engineer, Space & Mission Systems

As a Senior Project Engineer in Space and Mission Systems, you will lead planning, coordination, and delivery of complex engineering projects from concept through completion. In this role, you will:

• Lead the technical execution of an advanced space network and enterprise program from early development through deployment.
• Translate mission needs and highlevel requirements into actionable engineering plans, ensuring alignment across networks, enterprise systems, operations, software, and integration teams.
• Coordinate systemlevel design activities, guiding program execution development, interface definition, and integration activities across multiple domains for advanced enterprise solutions networking.
• Drive crossfunctional collaboration, ensuring consistent technical baselines, verification approaches, and integration readiness across engineering disciplines.
• Support proposals, planning, milestone preparation, and technical communication with internal stakeholders and government customers.

The day-to-day

As a key leader in the development and delivery of nextgeneration miniGEO satellite systems, you will sit at the center of engineering integration and program execution. In this role, you will:

• Support the Program Director and provide leadership across the overall miniGEO program, ensuring coordination between critical technical and programmatic areas.
• Drive technical execution and lead IPTs and internal engineering discussions to keep the program on track.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and external vendors to manage technical scope, schedule, and performance to meet mission-aligned milestones.
• Align requirements, analysis, and modeling activities across the engineering lifecycle.
• Lead and guide teams spanning satellite systems, payload, ground systems, networking, software, cybersecurity, integration and test, and operations through implementation and test phases.
• Troubleshoot and resolve development, integration, and deployment issues by identifying root causes and coordinating corrective actions.
• Own the program’s Risk Management process, tracking risks and issues and communicating updates to stakeholders.
• Prepare and present technical briefs, design reviews, and engineering documentation.
• Contribute to program management reviews, executive updates, and weekly status reporting.
• Ensure all design-control practices meet AS9100 and internal quality requirements, represent the program during audits, and oversee compliance with internal review and gate processes.
• Champion the adoption of AI tools across project management, engineering, operations, and other functions, in alignment with company AI guidance.

• 15+ years of experience in system-level engineering, integration, or technical project leadership for complex communications, enterprise, or networking systems.
• Proven ability to independently manage projects and prioritize multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering fundamentals, including requirements flow-down, trade studies, verification/validation, and system architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across diverse engineering domains and drive technical alignment.
• Strong analytical and problemsolving skills with the ability to assess technical information and recommend solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to document technical concepts and provide clear updates to stakeholders, including executive leadership.
• US citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain a United States Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to travel up to 10%

What will help you on the job

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience integrating complex communications systems, advanced networks, software systems, interfaces, and security architectures.
• Exposure to secure communications networks, cybersecurity concepts, data platforms, and satellite or space system architectures.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and apply established methodologies to support evolving business objectives.
• Experience working with geographically distributed teams and coordinating multidiscipline engineering activities.
• Active United States Secret Security Clearance.

$212,500.00 - $335,500.00 / 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 $264,000.00- $396,000.00/ 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

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.