AI&T Test Engineer – STE​/EGSE

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.

Viasat's Space Infrastructure Team designs, builds, and operates satellites that deliver global connectivity in demanding environments. As part of the Integration and Test team, your work will contribute directly to payload performance, schedule, and on-orbit mission success.

This role is for an Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer focused on Payload Special Test Equipment (STE) and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE). You will be responsible for designing, developing, integrating, and supporting test systems used to verify advanced space-based communications units and payloads throughout development, qualification, and flight integration activities.

You will work closely with systems, payload, RF, digital, software, and manufacturing teams to translate verification requirements into practical and scalable test solutions.

• Design and develop STE and EGSE solutions used for payload integration and verification
• Translate payload and subsystem requirements into test architectures, test procedures, and automation solutions
• Support checkout and verification activities across unit, subsystem, and payload levels
• Develop and maintain automated test capabilities that improve test efficiency and repeatability
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to troubleshoot hardware and test system issues
• Contribute to test readiness, integration planning, and verification execution

• Own development of STE and EGSE architectures for RF, digital, telemetry, timing, and power interfaces
• Derive test equipment requirements from payload verification needs
• Participate in test planning and verification strategy development
• Review design documentation and provide feedback on testability and integration considerations

• Design and integrate test hardware, harnessing, interface electronics, instrumentation, and support equipment
• Develop automated test procedures and software tools
• Integrate commercial test equipment with custom hardware and software solutions
• Support unit, subsystem, and payload integration activities

• Complete functional, performance, and environmental testing of payload hardware
• Support test readiness reviews and test campaigns
• Analyze test data and document test results
• Maintain test configurations, procedures, and supporting documentation

• Develop automation scripts and software tools using Python, LabVIEW, C#, or similar languages
• Improve test efficiency through automation and process enhancements
• Support configuration management and lifecycle maintenance of STE and EGSE assets

• Troubleshoot hardware, software, instrumentation, and integration issues
• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions
• Work with design engineering teams to resolve test and integration anomalies

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Typically 4-8 years of experience developing, integrating, or supporting STE, EGSE, or automated test systems
• Experience working with electronic, communications, aerospace, defense, or satellite hardware
• Understanding of hardware integration and verification methodologies
• Experience using laboratory instrumentation and automated test equipment
• Experience with software scripting or automation development
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills
• U.S. citizenship required

• Experience supporting spacecraft, payload, communications, or RF systems
• Experience developing EGSE or payload checkout systems
• Familiarity with telemetry, command and control, and data acquisition…