Senior Mission Assurance Engineer

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 Senior Mission Assurance Engineer to join our dynamic team in Tempe, AZ! This hybrid role offers the unique blend of working collaboratively within our Tempe office and the flexibility of remote work.

The Senior Mission Assurance Engineer oversees mission assurance processes and activities for government and commercial space systems. The role involves ensuring the reliability, safety, and quality of space missions from design through launch and operational phases. This candidate is responsible for managing and integrating mission assurance policies, risk assessments, quality assurance, and compliance across multiple organizations, programs, and contractors to meet mission requirements and mitigate risks.

The day-to-day

• Leads, implements and institutionalizes mission assurance initiatives and provides proactive and pragmatic mission assurance engineering support as part of an integrated project team.
• Lead mission assurance planning and execution for satellite and space related missions from concept through operations.
• Develop, implement, and monitor mission assurance policies, plans, and procedures in collaboration with NASA, DoD, and commercial partners and serve as the primary interface for mission assurance issues between internal and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate design, manufacturing, testing, and operational processes to ensure compliance with mission assurance standards and risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct technical reviews, risk assessments, failure analyses, and corrective actions to ensure mission safety and performance.
• Coordinate with systems engineering, quality assurance, safety, and reliability teams to identify potential mission risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Review contractor mission assurance plans and performance metrics to ensure compliance with established criteria and mission objectives.
• Lead activity in developing suppliers of electrical components and assemblies early in the development cycle to prevent component issues and improve performance of product development efforts.
• Assuring the quality of software engineering and test verification activities, and participating in software reviews.
• Provides Supply Chain Management organization technical guidance to ensure that parts being procured match supplier capability and ensures that supplier quoted costs are reasonable based on technology, customization and required screening/testing.
• Lead failure investigations, anomaly resolution, and root cause analysis, ensuring lessons learned are integrated into future missions including chairing Program Material Review and Failure Review Boards.
• Oversee qualification and acceptance testing for spacecraft hardware, systems, and launch vehicles.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior leadership and stakeholders on mission assurance activities, risks, and performance.

What you'll need

• Typically requires a bachelors degree or masters degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• 12 or more years of experience with a bachelors degree or 10 or more years of experience with a masters degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Strong familiarity with the space or satellite system life cycle, including launch, commissioning and operations.
• Possess the ability and flexibility to understand projects are scalable based on customer needs and requirements.
• Experience in a project led design and development environment.
• Experience with quality management of hardware design, mechanical design, software design and production/flight hardware.
• Experience assessing, onboarding and surveilling suppliers in support of space missions.
• Experience with AS9100 or similar QA standards or methodologies.
• Possess a working understanding of some of the following technologies/disciplines would be an advantage: analogue / digital electronics and components, satellite integration and test.
• Be able to assess space parts levels, compare to requirements, and set up test plans for deltas.
• Be able to assist with incoming electro-mechanical receiving inspection including review of space parts testing certification and acceptability.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately and organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
• Strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• US citizenship is required.
• Able to obtain TS/SCI clearance if required.
• Up to 20% Travel to supplier locations or other Viasat sites.

What will help you on the job

• A flexible, collaborative and growth mindset and willing to work through clarifying highly technical and high visibility, ambiguous situations.
• Employs an "Always a better way" mentality.
• Have experience mentoring and providing mission assurance related guidance across all site locations and functions.
• Able to establish a high level of credibility and respect from executive leadership.
• Experience managing is team is preferred.

Salary range

$126,500.00 - $199,000.00 / 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 $157,000.00- $235,000.00/ 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.