Principal Systems Security 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.

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 a highly motivated Principal Systems Security Engineer to join our Systems Security Engineering organization. Responsibilities for this role include architecting, implementing, and advancing security controls across enterprise, cloud, product, and infrastructure environments. The ideal candidate will have a background in Information Assurance (IA) and Cybersecurity frameworks, and combines deep technical expertise with strong systems thinking, enabling them to identify security risks, design scalable security solutions, and influence engineering teams across the organization.

This role is heavily focused on IA and security architecture, providing guidance across network, software, infrastructure, cloud, and physical security teams to ensure compliance with current and future NIST guidelines.

• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to develop, build, and/or implement secure architectures for ground and space networks.
• Lead security reviews for new systems, infrastructure, applications, and technology initiatives.
• Conduct threat modeling, architecture assessments, and security risk evaluations
• Create and lead an information security program specific to the constructed architecture.
• Provide technical and policy guidance that will enable successful RMF security accreditation efforts.
• Implement the DoD Zero Trust framework within target programs.
• Develop and maintain security standards, reference architectures, and engineering standard processes.
• Communicate security risks, recommendations, and architectural decisions to technical and business partners.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Security, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 12+ years of experience leading complex security engineering and architecture initiatives.
• Strong understanding of security architecture principles and defense-in-depth strategies.
• Experience designing and implementing security controls in enterprise-scale environments.
• Hands-on experience securing cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Experience usign SPRS and eMASS platforms.
• Experience with identity and access management, authentication, authorization, and privileged access controls.
• Knowledge of network security, endpoint security, vulnerability management, and infrastructure security standard processes.
• Experience conducting threat modeling, security assessments, and architecture reviews.
• Proficiency with scripting and automation using Power Shell, Python, Bash, or similar languages.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical partners.
• Ability to travel up to 20%. This role will require travel to our offices in Carlsbad, CA and Reston, VA.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must have an active Top Secret Clearance.

• CISSP, CCSP, GIAC, Azure Security Engineer, AWS Security Specialty, or similar industry certifications.
• Experience implementing Zero Trust architectures and modern identity security strategies.
• Knowledge of cloud-native technologies, containers, Kubernetes, and platform engineering practices.
• Experience with SIEM, SOAR, XDR, and security monitoring platforms.
• Experience…