Spacecraft Operations Engineer - Temporary

Lead Spacecraft Operations Engineer

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 seeking an experienced and capable Lead Spacecraft Operations Engineer to take ownership of our low-Earth orbit (LEO) mission operations! In this role, you will lead and assume responsibility for the commanding, telemetry, and overall health of our Maxwell satellite platform.

As the operational lead, you will manage day-to-day payload operations, coordinate with the mission ops center, mentor junior engineers, and serve as the primary technical authority for our space and ground segments:

• Operations Leadership: Assume full ownership of the LEO satellite platform's health, safety, and mission scheduling. Lead anomaly resolution efforts and interface directly with system architects and collaborators.
• Mission Management: Provide oversight and help refine the scheduling of operations using Viasat's mission planning environment using proven expertise and past experience for LEO space missions.
• Network & Comm Utilization: Model and simulate operations for high-throughput Direct-to-Earth (DTE) ground station networks and GEO relay communication links into our planning framework.
• HIL/SIL Validation & Testing: Oversee Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) test campaigns to validate mission planning software, flight code updates, and telemetry processing methods.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Author, maintain, and enforce comprehensive operational procedures, contingency plans, and automation guardrails for the flight operations team.

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Experience: 10+ years of direct experience in satellite mission operations, integration and test (I&T), or systems engineering, with a proven track record supporting active LEO missions.
• Technical Mastery: Practical knowledge of spacecraft subsystems (EPS, ADCS, Thermal, and Comm) and how they interact in a highly dynamic LEO environment.
• Testing & Infrastructure: Familiarity with HIL/SIL testbeds to validate flight software and operational procedures before upload.
• Leadership Traits: Strong technical leadership, excellent communication skills, and the ability to make calm, analytical decisions under pressure during live orbital anomalies.
• Must be able to work out of our Carlsbad, CA or Logan, UT office coming in 3 days per week
• US Citizenship is required.

• Proficiency in MATLAB, or similar coding language, for developing operations tools, automating telemetry analysis, and scripting data-processing pipelines.
• Experience designing, deploying, or operating autonomous mission planning systems or automated ground networks.
• Familiarity with configuration management tools (e.g., Git).
• Background in RF engineering, ground station operation, or link budget optimization for LEO constellations.

$ - $ / 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 $- $/ 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.

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.

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