Systems Engineer, Space Infrastructure
RigNet, Carlsbad, CA, United States
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 seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership and end‑to‑end ownership of space system definition and analysis. This role is responsible for defining system architectures, owning technical budgets, and leading requirements development across the full system lifecycle.
The Systems Engineer serves as a central technical authority, integrating subsystem teams, guiding system trade studies, and ensuring disciplined execution of requirements, analyses, and verification planning.
The day-to-day
Own end‑to‑end space system technical budgets, including mass, power, data, performance, margins, and system constraints
Lead space system architecture definition and technical trade studies to guide design decisions
Develop, author, and maintain system‑level technical artifacts including SRDs, TRDs, and related specifications
Drive requirements decomposition, allocation, and requirements burndown across all subsystems
Ensure traceability between mission objectives, system requirements, subsystem designs, and verification plans
Provide technical leadership across cross‑functional engineering teams to resolve system‑level issues and interfaces
Lead system participation in major lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, readiness reviews)
Define system‑level verification and validation strategies in partnership with integration and test teams
Identify, assess, and manage system‑level risks, assumptions, and margin posture
Produce clear, concise technical documentation and briefings to support engineering and leadership decision‑making
Mentor other systems engineers and contribute to improving systems engineering practices and standards
What you'll need
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience
10+ years experience in systems engineering supporting complex space or aerospace systems
Proven experience owning and managing space system technical budgets and analyses
Demonstrated expertise in writing and controlling system level requirements and specifications
Strong command of systems engineering processes across the full development lifecycle
Ability to independently define complex problems, drive solutions, and influence technical outcomes without direct authority
Excellent technical communication skills, including senior level design and risk discussions
What will help you on the job
Deep experience with space system architectures and subsystem integration
Familiarity with model‑based systems engineering and requirements management tools
Background in high‑reliability, mission‑critical system development
Ability to balance technical rigor with programmatic constraints
A systems‑level mindset with strong attention to margins, interfaces, and verification closure
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
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.
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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 seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership and end‑to‑end ownership of space system definition and analysis. This role is responsible for defining system architectures, owning technical budgets, and leading requirements development across the full system lifecycle.
The Systems Engineer serves as a central technical authority, integrating subsystem teams, guiding system trade studies, and ensuring disciplined execution of requirements, analyses, and verification planning.
The day-to-day
Own end‑to‑end space system technical budgets, including mass, power, data, performance, margins, and system constraints
Lead space system architecture definition and technical trade studies to guide design decisions
Develop, author, and maintain system‑level technical artifacts including SRDs, TRDs, and related specifications
Drive requirements decomposition, allocation, and requirements burndown across all subsystems
Ensure traceability between mission objectives, system requirements, subsystem designs, and verification plans
Provide technical leadership across cross‑functional engineering teams to resolve system‑level issues and interfaces
Lead system participation in major lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, readiness reviews)
Define system‑level verification and validation strategies in partnership with integration and test teams
Identify, assess, and manage system‑level risks, assumptions, and margin posture
Produce clear, concise technical documentation and briefings to support engineering and leadership decision‑making
Mentor other systems engineers and contribute to improving systems engineering practices and standards
What you'll need
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience
10+ years experience in systems engineering supporting complex space or aerospace systems
Proven experience owning and managing space system technical budgets and analyses
Demonstrated expertise in writing and controlling system level requirements and specifications
Strong command of systems engineering processes across the full development lifecycle
Ability to independently define complex problems, drive solutions, and influence technical outcomes without direct authority
Excellent technical communication skills, including senior level design and risk discussions
What will help you on the job
Deep experience with space system architectures and subsystem integration
Familiarity with model‑based systems engineering and requirements management tools
Background in high‑reliability, mission‑critical system development
Ability to balance technical rigor with programmatic constraints
A systems‑level mindset with strong attention to margins, interfaces, and verification closure
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
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.
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