AI use among electronics engineers, except computer is little observed so far. Measured exposure for electronics engineers, except computer: 10% (little observed).

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

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About the job

About us

At Viasat, the work you do helps people stay connected in ways that matter, from everyday moments to critical missions across air, land, sea, and space.

We’re a place for people who are curious, bold, and motivated by meaningful work. Here, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, explore new possibilities, and grow your career in ways that align with your interests and goals. When you're ready to take on something new, you'll find leaders who support your development and help you turn your ambition into action.

What you'll do

We are seeking a Senior Engineer who can operate as a Principal Investigator for a fast-paced digital signal processing sensing-centric development program! This role requires deep system-level expertise across high-fidelity simulation development and analysis for sensors, with knowledge of signal acquisition, embedded processing, software, hardware, integration, and test, paired with strong technical leadership and cross-team coordination.

You will serve as the technical authority for mixed-fidelity simulation development and analysis for sensing systems, driving end-to-end simulation architecture for our sensing elements through data processing and system-level performance. This role is hands-on and you will need to interface with customers while developing advanced simulation frameworks.

The day-to-day

Modeling and Simulation

Lead the design, development, and validation of mixed-fidelity simulation frameworks spanning sensor phenomenology, signal acquisition, processing pipelines, and system-level performance

Define simulation architecture strategies for next-generation sensing system designs, including sensor element selection, processing chain topology, and hardware/software partitioning

Develop physics-based models of sensing elements, noise sources, and interference conditions relevant to the program domain

Author simulation validation plans and establish correlation between simulation outputs and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), bench, and field test results

Maintain modular, version-controlled simulation repositories, enabling continuous improvement in model coverage and fidelity

Signal Processing

Develop and apply signal processing algorithms including detection, estimation, filtering, spectral analysis, and statistical performance characterization across relevant sensing domains

Model signal chains from sensor to output, including noise, interference, and environmental effects that drive system performance margins

Define and evaluate signal processing performance metrics and translate them into actionable guidance for hardware and embedded software teams

Validate signal processing models against measured data, identifying and closing fidelity gaps through iterative refinement

Team Coordination

Serve as the principal investigator and technical lead for the simulation workstream, setting direction and ensuring alignment across algorithm, embedded software, hardware, and systems engineering teams

Lead technical reviews including PDR, CDR, and similar program reviews; deliver simulation products and provide peer review of modeling efforts across the team

Identify simulation capability gaps relative to program objectives and develop and execute roadmap improvements

Mentor junior engineers in simulation methodology, signal processing fundamentals, and analysis best practices

Customer-Facing Experience

Serve as the primary technical interface to customers on simulation methodology, modeling assumptions, uncertainty quantification, and system performance predictions

Translate complex simulation results into concise findings and technical reports suitable for program leadership and customer review

Support proposal efforts by defining simulation scope, articulating technical discriminators, and contributing to statement of work and basis-of-estimate documentation

What you'll need

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, or closely related field (MSEE or Ph.D. preferred)

10+ years of experience in modeling and simulation of sensing or signal processing systems, with demonstrated ownership of simulation frameworks on program development efforts

Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools including MATLAB/Simulink, Python (NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch), or equivalent; experience structuring large-scale, maintainable simulation codebases

Prior experience as a principal investigator or technical lead on a U.S. government or defense program, including direct customer interaction at technical interchanges and program reviews

Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / SCI security clearance

Able to travel up to 10%

Must be able to work out of the Carlsbad, CA office (preferred) or Tempe, CA office

What will help you on the job

Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with a focus on signal processing, sensing systems, or applied electromagnetics

Active TS/SCI security clearance

Hands-on experience with multi-domain sensors (RF, EO/IR, acoustic, or lidar), including familiarity with phenomenological modeling approaches specific to those domains

Experience with Operational Analysis tools such as AFSIM

Background in embedded or real-time DSP implementations on FPGA or embedded CPU platforms, enabling high-fidelity simulation-to-hardware translation

Experience with hardware-in-the-loop simulation integrated with bench or field test infrastructure

Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methodologies and system-level performance budgeting and error allocation

Demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publication, patent authorship, or equivalent technical contribution in sensing, signal processing, or simulation

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Salary range

$156,000.00 - $246,000.00 / 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 $193,500.00- $290,500.00/ 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 .