On-orbit Satellite 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.

What you'll do

Viasat operates 20+ geosynchronous satellites from its US and UK based Satellite Control Centers, providing the services as described above. A spacecraft operations engineer is required to take a responsible position as part of the Spacecraft Analysis team who perform the on-station spacecraft operations, looking after the health and performance of the satellites for Viasat current and future satellite fleets.

The day-to-day

Key Responsibilities:

• To define, plan and complete operations to manage the satellite configurations to maintain their health, safety and function.
• To assess and report on satellite health and performance by daily monitoring of their status and monitoring of long-term trends in behaviour of on-board units.
• To respond to satellite contingency situations by assessing satellite status, performing the correct triage, identifying the remedial response and directing recovery operations according to a well-defined incident management process.
• To diagnose problems as quickly as possible, determine the underlying root cause of incidents and identify workarounds or permanent solutions to prevent reoccurrence with the spacecraft manufacturer using techniques such as 8D, 5 whys, fault tree/fishbone analysis to get to the root cause of a problem and then to be able to identify corrective and preventive measures.
• To maintain satellite operational products such as satellite telemetry and telecommand databases, including alarm limits, to support safe and efficient operations and to maintain the routine and contingency satellite control procedures and validate updates against the satellite simulator and maintain the satellite simulators to have a fully representative test bed.
• To develop and maintain the reference data sets and software applications including AI and analytics applications required by the Spacecraft Analysis Department to perform the satellite health and performance monitoring, operations planning, checking and reporting to ensure early detection of problems and anomaly characterisation.
• To ensure any analyst training plan and accreditation are up to date and when required, the provision of any training, definition of courseware and assessments are conducted accurately, effectively and efficiently.
• To work with the Viasat Global Space Networks and spacecraft manufacturer engineering support teams to investigate anomalies and develop relevant operational solutions.
• To work on new satellite programmes on systems engineering, operations development, integration and validation activities and to support the Global Space Networks Space Systems procurement team with programme reviews.
• To respond positively to any other requests that help achieve Viasat's goals.

What you'll need

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Science or Engineering university degree or equivalent experience (min. 3 years)
• Previous experience in a related field in the space industry
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Ability to prioritise work to deliver the Satellite Operations divisional objectives. This demands a high level of flexibility in planning and completing tasks
• Excellent analytical skills resulting in clear and concise explanations of observations and anomalies,
• Have the skills listed below that demonstrate the Viasat values

What will help you on the job

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• Highly desirable to have experience in a satellite operations environment, preferably as a satellite operations engineer,
• Preference for a degree in a Space Engineering related subject
• Knowledge of design and operations of spacecraft subsystems, such as Power, Thermal, Attitude Control, Electrical and Chemical Propulsion, TTC and Payload subsystems
• Experience of working with one or more of the following spacecraft platforms: Lockheed Martin (preferably Series 4000), TAS Spacebus 4000, Airbus E3000 and subsequent AIRBUS generations, Boeing 702 HP.
• Knowledge of one or more programming languages (e.g. Python, R) to perform data analysis and data manipulation for trending, anomaly prediction and classification analysis and for developing and enhancing tools for aiding analyst processes and procedures (experience working with Big Data and applied AI is a bonus)
• Experience of working with spacecraft manufacturers and satellite engineering support teams for the specification, development and implementation of satellite specific operations for at least one previous geo-synchronous satellite project
• Knowledge of the satellite design, build and AIT process

Salary range

$89,500.00 - $141,500.00 / 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 $111,000.00- $167,000.00/ 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.