Sr. NPI 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.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for an onsite Sr. NPI Engineer to join our dynamic team in Carlsbad, CA! As a Senior NPI Engineer, you bridge the gap between initial design and high‑volume manufacturing by translating complex requirements into scalable production realities. You lead the end‑to‑end transition process—developing comprehensive manufacturing plans, defining process flows, and synthesizing DFM/T feedback to ensure product manufacturability.

This role acts as a central hub of cross‑functional collaboration, aligning product development with production test, supply chain, material planning, and quality teams to ensure a flawless launch. Beyond planning, you drive the execution of prototype hardware builds to meet aggressive development schedules while establishing the key performance metrics that define operational success. By preparing both the product and the organization for the rigors of the factory floor, you ensure a stable handoff to production.

Your impact is sustained through rigorous lessons‑learned reviews that embed continuous improvement into every future launch cycle.

• Providing expert guidance and implementing industry best practices in manufacturing and testing methodologies to ensure high‑quality production standards.
• Partnering with Business Area leadership and engineering teams to drive new product development while maintaining strict adherence to cost and schedule targets.
• Facilitating a seamless handoff from development to the factory floor by working closely with operational leadership and engineering stakeholders.
• Identifying and assessing potential manufacturing bottlenecks, mitigating technical risks, and solving complex engineering challenges throughout the product lifecycle.
• Driving the engineering lifecycle through drawing release and the procurement of critical prototype materials and services to support early‑stage builds.

• Typically requires an Engineering degree(s) with 10+ years hands‑on hardware experience.
• Demonstrates a high degree of professional initiative by identifying and addressing emerging challenges independently.
• Results oriented, driven toward desired outcomes.
• Proficient in the use of data to support and defend recommendations.
• Full product lifecycle experience—active involvement in product development to manufacturing floor support in a small to medium volume facility.
• Experience engaging with contract manufacturers on prototype hardware builds.
• Strong advocate for configuration management—hardware and software BOM configuration.
• Ability to advocate for and apply applicable regulations, IPC specifications, workmanship standards, etc.
• Ability to obtain a secret security clearance; candidates with secret clearance preferred.
• Physical ship required.
• Up to 10% travel is required.

• Strong technical skills across multiple engineering disciplines, including high‑speed digital and RF electronics, mechanical design, and optics.
• Hands‑on experience in product development, problem solving, and transitioning products into production.
• Strong experience in electro‑mechanical hardware fabrication, product assembly, and testing.
• Proactive leadership style, preference for hands‑on involvement, assumes accountability for individual contributions.
• Strong technical acumen and communication skills—capable of engaging in detailed technical discussions while simplifying complex topics for broader audiences.
• Extensive experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and Bill of Materials (BOM) structuring to support manufacturing.
• Knowledge of space hardware requirements.

$ – $ annually. For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay…