Systems Design Engineer

The Director, Air Force Solutions Engineering serves as the senior technical and strategic leader responsible for aligning Viasat’s capabilities to United States Air Force operational, mission, and modernization priorities across all five Viasat business areas. This role leads a distributed team of Air Force-focused Solutions Architects and technical strategists responsible for shaping integrated mission solutions, supporting strategic captures, driving customer engagement, and enabling cross-business collaboration to deliver differentiated operational outcomes for the Air Force customer. Operating at the highest levels of technical influence and enterprise integration, this position works across business units, engineering organizations, business development teams, program leadership, and executive stakeholders to define and mature mission architectures spanning communications, networking, cyber, ISR, space, airborne platforms, mission systems, and digital integration. Consistent with the Viasat Professional Job Category Level 6 framework, this role independently leads projects and programs that impact the success and future concepts of the business; exercises independent judgment in coordinating methods and techniques; and contributes as a top thought leader and subject matter expert guiding others in resolving complex issues. The day-to-day, Enterprise Air Force Solutions Leadership Lead the Air Force Solutions Engineering organization supporting all five Viasat business areas. Establish and drive enterprise-wide technical strategy aligned to Air Force operational concepts, modernization priorities, and emerging mission needs. Develop integrated mission architectures that combine capabilities across communications, networking, cyber, ISR, space, platform integration, mission computing, and digital engineering. Serve as the senior technical integrator for Air Force mission solutions across the Viasat portfolio. Solutions Architecture & Technical Strategy Lead development of mission-level solution architectures for strategic opportunities, priority captures, and long-range growth initiatives. Translate Air Force operational concepts, CONOPS, kill chains, and mission requirements into executable technical architectures and differentiated solution approaches. Ensure solutions align with open systems architectures, MOSA/SOSA principles, digital engineering standards, and future Air Force interoperability requirements. Drive technical roadmaps supporting Air Force initiatives involving resilient communications, tactical networking, PNT, airborne networking, space integration, autonomy, and distributed operations. Customer Engagement & Mission Advocacy Serve as a senior technical interface with Air Force operational commands, acquisition organizations, laboratories, program offices, and mission partners. Engage with senior government leaders, engineers, operators, and acquisition personnel to shape requirements and align Viasat capabilities to mission needs. Represent Viasat in technical interchange meetings, industry forums, architecture discussions, operational working groups, and strategic planning sessions. Provide mission-informed thought leadership regarding future Air Force operational architectures and decision-dominance concepts. Cross-Business Integration Coordinate technical strategy and solution alignment across all five Viasat business areas to ensure unified customer engagement and enterprise capability integration. Identify opportunities for technology convergence, reusable architectures, and integrated mission offerings across the enterprise. Facilitate collaboration between engineering, product management, business development, capture, and program execution teams. Drive alignment between internal technology investments and Air Force mission priorities. Capture & Growth Support Support strategic captures through technical solution development, proposal strategy, architecture reviews, and customer shaping activities. Lead technical discriminators, competitive positioning, and solution differentiation for major Air Force opportunities. Provide technical leadership for white papers, RFIs, RFP responses, operational demonstrations, and mission experimentation activities. Partner with business development leadership to identify and mature long-range growth opportunities. Leadership & Organizational Development Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Air Force Solutions Architects and technical leaders across multiple mission domains. Build organizational technical depth, mission understanding, and customer credibility within the Air Force solutions engineering team. Establish engineering rigor, architecture governance, and best practices for solution development across the enterprise. Foster a collaborative, mission-focused culture emphasizing innovation, technical excellence, and operational relevance. What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Systems Engineering, or related technical field. 15+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, mission systems, communications, networking, or related technical domains. Extensive experience supporting United States Air Force operational or acquisition organizations. Demonstrated experience leading complex technical integration efforts across multiple organizations or business units. Deep understanding of Air Force mission architectures, operational concepts, and modernization priorities. Experience with systems engineering, mission architecture development, and technical strategy execution. Proven ability to engage effectively with senior government and industry leaders. Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret/SCI preferred. What will help you on the job: Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Business, or related field. Operational military experience or direct support to Air Force operational missions. Experience with:

• Open systems architecture (MOSA/SOSA)
• Tactical communications and networking
• Airborne mission systems
• SATCOM and resilient networking
• ISR and mission integration
• Space and multi-domain operations
• Digital engineering and MBSE

Experience supporting large-scale strategic captures and mission solution development. Demonstrated success leading geographically distributed technical teams.

Salary range: $180,500.00 - $285,000.00 / 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 $224,500.00- $336,500.00/ 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

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., 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.