RF Systems Engineering Intern

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

Come join us as we build complete antenna systems "from RF to bits."

In this role you will work on:

• Radio frequency transmit/receive electronics, high-speed modems, and software systems that deliver a stream of bits to the end customer
• Mechanical structures that form the antenna
• Motors and controllers that position the reflectors

At our Atlanta, GA (Duluth) office we have outdoor test facilities including a multi-system, multi-pad boresite range, two planar nearfield ranges, and nearby a 1500-foot elevated pattern range with associated control room. With proven capability in Satellite communications, and antennas, Viasat is able to provide groundbreaking communications systems for both commercial and government customers. We offer an experience to grow your knowledge in systems design, development and verification of the next generation of sophisticated antenna products and satellite communication terminals!

The day-to-day

Our Antenna Systems teams works together on the design, development and validation of ground systems ranging from 2m up to 24m sized parabolic dishes for government and commercial customers. An intern on our team can expect to work on a wide variety of tasks such as:

• Design architecture of a ground station
• Requirements management
• Trade studies - make vs. buy decisions
• Specifications for RF equipment - LNA, Converters, HPAs
• RF and Mechanical Analysis - G/T, EIRP, Link Budget, RF Cascades, Servo Response, Beam Squint
• Conduct design reviews
• Preparation of test plans and procedures
• Support factory and site acceptance tests - RF measurement with VNA and/or Spectrum Analyzer

Internship Program Details:

• You will work onsite at a Viasat office location for the duration of your internship. Viasat embraces a flexible work environment and onsite/hybrid work is determined by individual roles and teams.
• Housing and relocation assistance are available to interns pending eligibility.
• To ensure equity across our intern population, intern compensation is pre-determined based on a variety of factors including: role, location, and final graduation date. Intern compensation is non-negotiable.

What you'll need

Requirements

• Education:
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or a related field
  • To be eligible for this position your final graduation date must fall between December 2026 and August 2027

• Internship Dates: You must be available to work 40 hours/week for the full duration of the internship program as outlined in the cohort dates below. Limited exceptions may be granted. Viasat offers two options based on semester and quarter academic calendars:
  
  • Cohort 1: May 18, 2026 - August 14, 2026
  • Cohort 2: June 22, 2026 - September 18, 2026

• Citizenship: This position requires U.S. citizenship

Additional requirements:

• Class work or exposure to the design and/or assembly of electrical systems, AC/DC circuits, servo motor controls, base-band equipment and basic networking
• Ability to analyze requirements, develop test plans/procedures, and document test results
• Excellent communications skills (written and oral)
• Ability to work independently and solve complex problems in remote locations with minimal assistance
• Skilled with excel and PowerPoint

What will help you on the job

• Experience in MATLAB, Excel, PowerPoint
• A strong mechanical background and experience with mechanical assembly
• Experience in the operation of some of the following equipment: Multi-meter, Oscilloscope, Spectrum Analyzer, Signal Generator, and Network Analyzer
• Coursework or experience in satellite communications
• Knowledge of RF
• Experience with Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, or other military or commercial systems
• Computer control of Ethernet devices over LAN and WAN

Salary range

$20.91 - $56.97 / hourly. 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 $25.96 - $67.07/ hourly

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 careers.viasat.com/LifeAtViasat/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.