Ground Systems Engineer

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

The Ground Segment Engineering group (GSE) is one of five groups under the Satellite Operations Division (SatOps), Viasat Global Services (VGS). SatOps staff are mostly deployed in London (UK) and Carlsbad and Tempe (USA). Responsibilities of GSE include system engineering and operational support duties relevant to Viasat's Tracking, Telemetry and Command (TT&C) network, Viasat's In-Orbit Test (IOT) infrastructure, Payload Control Systems (PCS) and several other ground-based subsystems. The group is also responsible for some commercial activities, e.g. the provision of TT&C services during the transfer orbit of newly launched satellites (third-party launch support) or In-Range rocket telemetry services for external clients, and other ground opportunities developed by the business units. Going forward, a substantial implementation effort will be required from the group to timely meet specific IOT and on-station satellite control requirements of the Viasat-3 F2 and F3, GX789 and I-8 satellite programmes.

The day-to-day

As a member of GSE, provide technical, operational and programmatic contributions to the core engineering activities of the group (in support of Viasat's present and future satellite generations), to the commercial activities such as third-party launch support or In-Range rocket telemetry service, and to specific projects such as the planning, preparation, co-ordination and execution of the payload In-Orbit Test campaigns of Viasat's newly launched satellites. The role may include taking up leadership and/or programme management responsibility for specified activities or tasks.

The Ground Systems Engineer is expected to contribute to (and in some cases lead) in the following areas of work:

• Provide support to various core engineering and/or operational activities of the GSE group as required to support Viasat's present and future satellites ensuring maximum service availability, TT&C launch support activities including In-Range, network upgrades and augmentation, evolution and tech refresh initiatives, maintenance activities, ground systems support including on-call etc
• Participate in the procurement and deployment of Viasat and non-Viasat TT&C/PCS/IOT services, equipment and systems including development of requirements, RFP specifications, evaluation of bids, negotiations with selected bidders, monitoring technical and operational aspects of contracts
• Actively participate in the resolution of ground system anomalies ensuring the highest level of system uptime possible
• Evaluate test methods and test results, and participate in factory and on-site acceptance testing for baseband, IF, RF, PCS, IOT earth station equipment. Perform independent analysis of earth station performance. Support IV&V / Compatibility Testing planning and co-ordination, procedures development and test execution, Integration and Test (I&T) activities
• Develop Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Operations Concept documents (CONOPS), automated procedures and Operations and Maintenance plans (O&M)
• Develop and maintain link budgets, including accuracy calculations of earth station ranging systems (standard tone ranging and spread-spectrum ranging)
• RF Sensing systems: operate and support existing systems, and contribute to future generation systems
• Ensure training and handover to operations personnel are carried out smoothly. Set up maintenance arrangements as necessary. Develop methods of monitoring earth stations to ensure availability requirements are met
• For launch and early orbit operations (LEOP) of Viasat and non-Viasat satellites, support ground preparations and implementation activities, develop Specialised Operations Plans (SOPs), participate to rehearsals and exercises, provide real-time support during the mission either on-site or at the SCC
• Participate to the preparation and execution of payload IOT campaigns of Viasat satellites, including development of payload IOT procedures, Sequences of Events (SOEs) and test sequences
• Support the ongoing integration between legacy Inmarsat and legacy Viasat SatOps ground segment operations and processes

What you'll need

• Bachelor, master's degree, or related certifications in Computer Science, electrical engineering, Mathematics, Physics or other relevant engineering field and 3+ years of experience with the development of implementation of satellite ground systems of multiple satellites from multiple manufacturers
• Knowledge of Satellite communications, including design, implementation, testing and operations of: earth station antennas, RF and IF satellite communications equipment, TT&C baseband ground systems, satellite IOT test benches, monitor and control systems
• Operational experience with commercial off the shelf (COTS) satellite control and orbital analysis software systems (specifically the Kratos EPOCH software suite), TT&C hardware, and computing hardware
• Operations experience with ground systems controlling multiple satellites from multiple manufacturers (fleet operations)
• Understanding of satellite sub-systems, technologies, and operations
• Security, and system maintenance for space and ground systems
• Knowledge of operations including: procedure development, training, installation, and deployment
• Experience with hardware and software systems integration, verification, and validation
• Ability to work constructively as a team member with multidisciplinary/multinational experts (e.g., satellite engineers, orbital engineers, satellite control professionals, contractors/vendors, and Viasat IT/Networking/Cybersecurity), within an international telecommunications environment
• Ability to prioritise and to work well under pressure
• Analytical approach to problems, but prepared to take practical shortcuts when necessary

What will help you on the job

• Project management skills
• Knowledge of networking / data communications systems and protocols (TCP/IP in particular);
• Experience of satellite IOT and associated testing
• Operational experience with commercial operating and virtualization systems such as Microsoft Windows, LINUX, and VMWare
• Proficiency or experience with Linux/Windows system administration
• Knowledge or interest in learning both compiled and scripting languages
• Automation of satellite operation tasks, including the creation of automated procedures for both satellite and ground components using manufacturers recommend operations procedures
• Good negotiation skills with customers and suppliers

Sphere of influence of the position:

• Works in close contact with other members of GSE and of the Satellite Operations Division (Real-Time Ops, Flight Dynamics, Spacecraft Engineering, Software Support Group), with security experts as well as with staff from Global Space Networks area (GSN), Government BUs, and with other VGS teams (e.g. network engineers, NOC engineers, operations / site engineers, antenna/RFS and SAS/SAN engineers) as required
• Works with consultants, sub-contractors, suppliers and service providers, site hosting entities as well as with external clients
• The job typically requires extensive co-ordination with several players and interactions with many other engineering and operational teams
• For Payload IOT campaigns, the Ground Systems Engineer is expected to work and integrate with teams of engineers from different companies and representing different interests

Salary range

$93,000.00 - $147,000.00 / 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 $115,500.00- $173,500.00/ 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
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 .