$180,500–$285,000 Per Year
Architectural Services, Chipset, Computer Engineering, Cross-Functional, Ecosystems, Electrical Engineering, Internet of Things, Interoperability, Management Strategy, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), Performance Metrics, Power Management, Product Engineering, Product Management, Product Strategy, Product/Service Launch, Radio Access Network (RAN), Requirements Management, Satellite Operations, System Architecture, Technical Leadership, Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Trade Studies
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:
We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Ground Infrastructure Solutions Architect to join our dynamic team in Carlsbad, CA! This is a hybrid, site-based role that offers the perfect blend of office collaboration and remote flexibility. Employees will work from our Carlsbad office at least 3 days (60%) per week within a standard five-day workweek, with the remaining days worked remotely.
Viasat is building a next-generation Direct-to-Device (D2D) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) platform that seamlessly integrates satellite and terrestrial cellular networks. We are seeking a Ground Infrastructure Solutions Architect to join our Platform Product Management team and play a central role in defining the end-to-end system architecture, feature roadmap, and interfaces that enable seamless mobility and roaming between NTN and TN.
This role sits at the intersection of product strategy, system architecture, and standards-aligned execution. You will act as a technical authority for ground infrastructure architecture, shaping UE, RAN, and Core Network capabilities while ensuring the platform is commercially viable, interoperable, and deployable at scale.
This role is central to ensuring Viasat’s D2D NTN platform delivers a coherent, scalable, and standards-aligned experience across satellite and terrestrial networks. You will shape how devices attach, roam, and stay connected across NTN and TN—turning complex system constraints into a platform that works optimally for users, partners, and operators.
The day-to-day:
Platform Architecture & Roadmap
- Define the end-to-end ground infrastructure architecture for Viasat’s D2D NTN platform, spanning UE, RAN, Core Network, and interworking functions.
- Own architectural inputs into the platform roadmap, ensuring feature sequencing reflects standards maturity, system constraints, and commercial priorities.
- Translate product goals into clear architectural principles, interfaces, and assumptions across NTN and TN.
NTN–TN Roaming & Interworking
- Architect seamless roaming and service continuity between NTN and terrestrial networks, including registration, mobility, session management, and fallback strategies.
- Define UE, RAN, and Core features required to support NTN–TN roaming in alignment with 3GPP Rel-17/18 NTN specifications.
- Identify gaps or ambiguities in standards and propose deployable, standards-compliant solutions.
UE, RAN, and Core Feature Definition
- Specify UE requirements related to NTN access, mobility, roaming behavior, and power management.
- Define RAN and Core feature requirements including control-plane and user-plane interworking and mobility anchoring.
- Align with chipset vendors, OEMs, and network vendors on feasible implementations.
Cross-Functional Technical Leadership
- Serve as architectural connective tissue across Product, Engineering, Satellite Operations, and ecosystem partners.
- Provide architectural guidance during design reviews, trade studies, and integration discussions.
- Support lab, field, and commercial readiness through E2E validation strategies and success criteria.
Standards & Industry Engagement
- Leverage 3GPP system architecture expertise to ensure alignment with evolving NTN standards.
- Inform internal architectural decisions with an understanding of standards intent vs. implementation reality.
What you'll need:
- Deep expertise in LTE and/or 5G system architecture, including Core Network concepts.
- Hands-on experience with NTN, satellite-cellular integration, or Direct-to-Device architectures.
- Strong understanding of UE, RAN, and Core interactions, especially mobility and roaming.
- Experience defining architectural requirements across multi-vendor ecosystems.
- Familiarity with 3GPP system architecture and standards-based design.
- Senior individual contributor with proven architectural authority.
What will help you on the job:
- Experience contributing to or engaging with 3GPP (e.g., SA2).
- Direct involvement in commercial NTN or IoT service launches.
- Background in NB-IoT NTN, LTE SCS, or NR-NTN.
- Experience defining E2E KPIs, validation strategies, or field performance criteria.
- Advanced degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
Salary range:
$180,500.00 - $285,000.00 / 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 $224,500.00- $336,500.00/ 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
careers@viasat.com
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V
Viasat, Inc.
Digital Communication Products for Commercial and Government Markets ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to any location. We bring today’s new communication applications to people out of reach of terrestrial networks, in both the commercial and government sectors, with a variety of networking products and services.
Here you’ll find a company that is always asking,” What’s next?”, with the vertically integrated set of technologies to push the limits of what is possible for your system and service performance.
Products:
- Satellite networks for fixed-site and mobile communications
- Satellite antenna systems
- Wireless datalinks and terminals for combat situational awareness
- Cybersecurity and Information Assurance for military networking and encrypted data storage
- Mobile IP networking for soldiers
- Communication microprocessor chipsets
- Application and communication acceleration
- Satellite network and RF system design
- Communication simulation and training systems
Services:
- Global mobile satellite services for government and commercial aircraft, vehicles, and seagoing vessels
- Satellite Internet access and other broadband services for consumers, business, and government customers in the U.S.
Recognized for Innovation, Growth, and Stability With these past awards, ViaSat is well known as a successful, innovative, high-growth company:
- World Technology Network - 2013 Winner, Communications Technology Award for high-capacity satellite system
- Arthur C. Clarke Foundation - Innovator Award, CEO Mark Dankberg
- Edison Awards 2013 - Bronze award for communications innovation
- Popular Science 2012 "Best of What's New" for Exede Internet and high-capacity satellite system
- Satellite Research and Markets - 2012 Visionary Executive of the Year
- Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) - 2012 Industry Innovator
- TechAmerica - 2011 American Technology Award in the Telecommunications
- Space News "Top 50 Space Companies"
- San Diego Magazine "Made In San Diego: 11 Cool Companies"
- Mark Dankberg American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) "2008 Aerospace International Communications Award"
- Hannover Fairs ISCe2004 Satellite Industry Award for Innovation and Technology
- Mark Dankberg Via Satellite “2003 Satellite Executive of the Year”
- Defense Systems "Super 75"
- DefenseNews "Top 100 Defense Contractors"
- DefenseNews "Fast Track 50"
- Washington Technology "Top 100 Federal Prime Contractors"
- Three-time INC. 500 prior to going public in 1996
Surpassing 2,900 Employees and $1 Billion in Sales The company employs over 2,900 professional and support personnel. The largest department is engineering, with many holding graduate degrees in electrical engineering or computer science. Annual revenues hit a record $1.1 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year (ended March 29, 2013).
History ViaSat is part of the well-known Linkabit Corporation “family-tree” that spawned hundreds of San Diego area telecom startups, including Qualcomm, General Instruments, and Titan. Founded in 1986 by three former M/A-Com Linkabit employees, ViaSat is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol VSAT. Go to the History, Timeline or Industry Innovation & Firsts pages for more details.
To find out more about ViaSat, use the links on this page to explore our Web site.
Note: ViaSat Inc. is a separate company from and is not affiliated with Viasat Broadcasting, owned by Modern Times Group, Sweden.