Principal Aviation & Maritime Safety Systems Engineer in London

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

Reporting to the Aviation & Maritime Safety Engineering Director within the Engineering Integration and Delivery group, the Principal Aviation & Maritime Safety Systems Engineer will work as part of a small team of safety engineering specialists who are responsible for all engineering aspects from initial concept to the introduction of service for our aviation and maritime safety communication systems.

The postholder will focus on the evolution of Viasat's SwiftBroadband Safety and Iris infrastructure, based on a solid understanding of the new and emerging communications and surveillance requirements for Air Traffic Management, and will support the technical development of infrastructure supporting maritime safety services and products. He/she will play a key role in defining the end‐to‐end architecture supporting new aero and maritime safety terminals, including hybrid terminals operating over both GEO & LEO. The postholder will also provide support to the ESA IRIS Phase 4 Programme.

The role will require development of an in‐depth understanding of the regulatory and industry standards for aviation safety and maritime safety communication systems. It will require close working with industry partners within the ESA Iris consortium, and with aircraft manufacturers, avionics suppliers, and air traffic communication service providers. The role will also require development of a technical understanding of urban air mobility requirements in congested airspace. The role will represent Viasat's engineering lead in meetings with suppliers and must be capable of dealing confidently with experts in similar and adjacent disciplines.

The day‐to‐day

• Compile system design requirements for next generation safety service product developments, including new hybrid LEO‐GEO satcom aviation and maritime safety service designs and architectures, and including extension to urban air mobility (UAM).
• Produce system concepts and candidate architectures and conduct trade‐off studies in development of the future aviation & maritime safety datalink networks.
• Create detailed design specifications and supplier Statements of Work for use in competitive procurements for evolution of Viasat's safety service infrastructure.
• Manage suppliers for implementation, verification, and change management of the satcom network safety service infrastructure.
• Support the definition of technical solutions, and compile costs and benefits for internal business cases.
• Support the Commercial Service Introduction (CSI) of new aviation and maritime safety products and services.
• Form strong technical relationships with peers at satcom avionics manufacturers, airframers, ESA, and Viasat service providers.
• Support aviation industry avionics systems standardisation at ICAO, AEEC, RTCA, and EUROCAE industry groups, maintaining awareness of ATM regulatory technical developments and evolving system requirements pertaining to both satcom networks and terminals.

What you'll need

• Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Physics, Computer or Communications science, or equivalent, and 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Technically fluent in telecommunications technologies, ideally including 5G architectures, 3GPP releases, an understanding of IP‐based mobile networking technologies, and ideally an understanding of satellite or mobile communications systems.
• Strong analytical capability, able to conduct system engineering and technology trade‐offs.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain relationships and trust.
• Ability to work in a complex, international matrix organization alongside 3rd‐parties.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Positive and energetic attitude.
• Capability to work autonomously as well as being a self‐starter and self‐motivated.
• Honest, respectful and patient.
• Ability to adapt and change in a dynamic working environment.

What will help you on the job

• Knowledge of networking technology, ideally with experience working with satcom networks in support of aviation or maritime safety services.
• Avionics systems development.
• Knowledge of IT security practices including IPSec and PKI.
• Good knowledge of software development and engineering techniques.
• Experience of supporting aviation or maritime safety services and products, ideally involving datalink and/or satcom‐based systems.
• Experience in the identification and capture of IT functional and non‐functional requirements for large, complex projects.
• Experience of data analytics techniques.
• Knowledge of Viasat and other satellite communications systems.
• Knowledge of aeronautical Air Traffic Service standards and processes; ICAO, ARINC, RTCA, EUROCAE, certification, especially Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN), and existing air traffic datalink service standards.
• Delivery of Air Traffic Communications services as an ANSP or communications supplier.

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.