Hardware Engineer (PWB / PWA Design), Early Career (2026-7035)

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

This is a role for a hardware engineer who is eager to contribute to a small, fast-paced team. You will help design, document, implement, prototype, and test cutting edge high speed digital circuit boards for encrypted communications systems including Layer 2 and Layer 3 In-line Network Encryptors, and embedded cryptographic devices. You will interface and collaborate with system, programmable logic, software, and test engineers as new capabilities are developed and transitioned into service. In addition, you will provide support to production and product support to help support operational networks when support is required from development.

The day-to-day

• Designing, prototyping, and testing high speed (up to 10GbE) digital circuit boards to include microprocessor, FPGA, memory, networking, optical, and power supply components
• Design for manufacture, assembly, and test
• Modeling and simulation, schematic, CAD, and signal propagation software tools using Mentor Graphic DxDesigner, Expedition/Planner, and Hyperlynx
• Work with test equipment – lab bench power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, eye pattern analyzers, and traffic generators
• Work with technology suppliers and subcontractors

Additional Details

• This position is site-based. Site‑based employees work 3+ days (60%+) per week from a Viasat office or work location within a standard five‑day work week. Viasat embraces a flexible work environment and onsite/hybrid work is determined by individual roles and teams. Relocation assistance is available pending eligibility. 

What you'll need

• Education: Completion of Bachelor's Degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Experience: This role is intended for someone with 0-3 years of full-time, relevant industry experience
• Citizenship: This position requires U.S. Citizenship
• Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Clearance
• Additional:
  • Familiarity with microprocessor, FPGA, memory, networking, optical, and power supply components
  • Understand basic concepts of design for manufacture, assembly, and test
  • Proficient with, or able to rapidly learn, use of test equipment – lab bench power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, eye pattern analyzers, and traffic generators
  • The ability to prioritize tasks, meet schedule and see a program to completion
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to work with system, hardware, firmware, software, and test teams

What will help you on the job

• Experience with modeling and simulation, schematic, CAD, or signal propagation software tools using Mentor Graphic DxDesigner, Expedition/Planner, and Hyperlynx
• Knowledge of encryption and information assurance technologies
• Knowledge of network communication concepts
• Knowledge of Make or buy analysis
• General understanding of market needs and customer use cases
• Masters’ degree in Electrical Engineering
• Active Secret clearance
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet schedule and see a program to completion.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with system, hardware, firmware, software, and test teams
• Knowledge of encryption and information assurance technologies
• Knowledge of network communication concepts
• Trade study and analysis 
• Ability to travel, up to 10%

Salary range

$85,000.00 - $134,000.00 / 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 $105,500.00- $158,500.00/ 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 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.