Principal Communications Engineer
Viasat
Listing collected from Viasat's career site. NextChapter is independent of Viasat.
Carlsbad, CA · Posted August 12, 2026
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Where Carlsbad, CA ranks
Where Carlsbad, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #9Best cities for mid-career professionals in the West Coast61% · of 71
- #18Best cities for mid-career professionals61% · of 100
- #21Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the West Coast145 openings · of 60
- #24Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the West Coast31 jobs · of 47
- #24Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the West Coast13% · of 53
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among computer network architects, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for computer network architects: 20% (some).
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.
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 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