Principal Communications Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 27, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 12, 2026. Viasat scores B on the Alion truth index.
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 currently seeking a Principle Communications Engineer to lead multiple high-profile projects and programs. In this role you will lead technical execution though project lifecycles. You will work closely with the Program Manager in leading various engineering projects in an organization chartered to deliver high-quality, ground-breaking communications systems for government customers. These projects entail system engineering, engineering development, engineering validation and verification, and system certification.
Your technical expertise and passion will be integral to help us craft new networks and service existing programs. You will work closely with our Business Development team and directly with our customers to define system requirements, and will work with our Program Managers and engineers to find practical solutions meeting these requirements. You will be a primary point of contact for key technical communications with our customers and provide best-of-class service and support throughout the entire program life-cycle while participating in business area growth.
The day-to-day
- Document the concept of operations to describe a system or operation from the users' perspective. Outline what the system will do, how it will operate, and the roles of collaborators.
- Author and complete effective verification test procedures ensuring system performance and capabilities meet system requirements
- Design and implement communication systems to include requirements derivation and lead development reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
- Create Group A/B system architecture design
- Collaborate with software engineering and multi-functional engineering teams to support system integration, issue diagnosis, root cause analysis, and resolution
- Applying project engineering skills to contribute to a multi-function engineering team through verbal and written interactions with the customer, industry partners, and Viasat senior leadership
- Integrates RF and IP based networks into a common user experience
- Must be able to take high-level system concepts from market understanding and collaborator direction and turn them into requirements and plans for delivery.
- Experience operating/maintaining/integrating complex systems of systems that provide SA/C2 to a variety of user types
- Self starter who can take minimal direction or abstract ideas and turn them into tangible requirements and objectives. They build system engineering artifacts and complete the operational test oversight for service or product delivery.
- Ensure designs meet intent of military and/or FAA certification
What you'll need
- 10+ years' proven experience as a Project, Systems, and/or Network Engineer
- Proven ability to work in high pressure situations while maintaining professionalism
- Ability to present technical details at an abstracted level
- Proven experience leading and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including, but not limited to, Business Development, Systems, Software, Product, Test both internally and externally
- Demonstrated skills with working between high level requirements and low-level system specifications
- Solid verbal and written communication skills
- Engineering development process experience
- Solid understanding of IP/Networking equipment, including configuration, application and resolving problems in routers, switches, TCP-IP networks, Crypto, Wi-Fi, VoIP and VTC
- Aerospace engineering field with aircraft certification experience
- Proven track record with driving technical contractual requirements to deliver on-time
- Bachelor's Degree in a technical field or equivalent experience
- US Government position. US Citizenship Required
- Active DoD Secret Clearance
- Ability to travel up to 20% both CONUS and OCONUS
What will help you on the job
- Masters degree or equivalent experience in a technical subject area
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance
Salary range
$212,500.00 - $335,500.00 / 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 $264,000.00- $396,000.00/ 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 at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.
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.
- Document the concept of operations to describe a system or operation from the users' perspective. Outline what the system will do, how it will operate, and the roles of collaborators.
- Author and complete effective verification test procedures ensuring system performance and capabilities meet system requirements
- Design and implement communication systems to include requirements derivation and lead development reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
- Create Group A/B system architecture design
- Collaborate with software engineering and multi-functional engineering teams to support system integration, issue diagnosis, root cause analysis, and resolution
- Applying project engineering skills to contribute to a multi-function engineering team through verbal and written interactions with the customer, industry partners, and Viasat senior leadership
- Integrates RF and IP based networks into a common user experience
- Must be able to take high-level system concepts from market understanding and collaborator direction and turn them into requirements and plans for delivery.
- Experience operating/maintaining/integrating complex systems of systems that provide SA/C2 to a variety of user types
- Self starter who can take minimal direction or abstract ideas and turn them into tangible requirements and objectives. They build system engineering artifacts and complete the operational test oversight for service or product delivery.
- Ensure designs meet intent of military and/or FAA certification
- 10+ years' proven experience as a Project, Systems, and/or Network Engineer
- Proven ability to work in high pressure situations while maintaining professionalism
- Ability to present technical details at an abstracted level
- Proven experience leading and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including, but not limited to, Business Development, Systems, Software, Product, Test both internally and externally
- Demonstrated skills with working between high level requirements and low-level system specifications
- Solid verbal and written communication skills
- Engineering development process experience
- Solid understanding of IP/Networking equipment, including configuration, application and resolving problems in routers, switches, TCP-IP networks, Crypto, Wi-Fi, VoIP and VTC
- Aerospace engineering field with aircraft certification experience
- Proven track record with driving technical contractual requirements to deliver on-time
- Bachelor's Degree in a technical field or equivalent experience
- US Government position. US Citizenship Required
- Active DoD Secret Clearance
- Ability to travel up to 20% both CONUS and OCONUS