System and Software Test Lead

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.

What you'll do

As a Lead Software Development Engineer in Test, you'll architect and implement scalable test automation solutions for networking products. You'll apply deep technical expertise and leadership to define the test strategy, ensuring it aligns with quality standards across diverse networking and orchestration teams within our network and enterprise software portfolio.

The day-to-day

• Define and own system-level test strategies for integrated software defined networking products and systems
• Collaborate with system engineering and product management teams to adjust test coverage and align to customer user cases
• Develop comprehensive test plans covering functional, integration, performance, scalability, and interoperability testing.
• Ensure alignment with product requirements and industry standards (e.g., IEEE, RFCs).
• Lead and mentor a team of system and software test engineers across multiple projects
• Assign tasks, review test cases, and ensure timely execution of test cycles.
• Write production-quality code for test automation software, leveraging tools like Pytest and Cypress. Integrate these test suites into CI/CD pipelines in Jenkins and GitHub to ensure continuous testing and rapid, reliable deployments.
• Oversee execution of system and automated test cases.
• Validate end-to-end system functionality including Layer 2/3 protocols, policy-based routing, VLANs, QoS, NAT, VPN, and firewall features.
• Perform regression, robustness, stress, soak, and failover testing.
• Actively participate in the debugging process, performing deep-level root cause analysis for complex defects. Work alongside development teams to resolve issues and prevent future recurrences.
• Maintain detailed records of test results, defects, and coverage metrics.
• Generate test reports and present findings to stakeholders.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years in system testing, with 2+ years in a leadership role
• Experience creating verification cross reference matrixes in an enterprise requirements management system (DOORS, JAMA, etc).
• Experience with networking protocols and systems, e.g., TCP/IP, SNMP, DHCP, DNS, routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), Wireshark, etc.
• Experience modifying existing automated tests and writing new automated tests
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines
• Strong analytical and debugging skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Passion for networking technologies and system-level validation.
• ship required.
• This is an onsite role located in Carlsbad, CA.

What will help you on the job

• Experience with cloud-based networking and SD-WAN.
• Experience designing automated test frameworks
• Experience working with a DoD customer

Salary range

$125,000.00 - $197,000.00 / 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 $150,000.00- $225,000.00/ 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
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.