At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform quality engineering with scalable automation frameworks and intelligent tools.
- Company: Join Viasat, a leader in global communication technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate globally and mentor fellow engineers in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative projects using cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in Python, automation engineering, and CI/CD systems required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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
As a Senior Software Engineer (SDET, Python), you will transform how quality engineering is delivered across Viasat’s terminal and media server software platforms. You will design and build scalable automation frameworks, test platforms, CI/CD solutions, and intelligent engineering tools that improve software quality, engineering productivity, and release confidence.
Working across multiple generations of media server software, you will collaborate with global engineering teams to advance automation, establish best practices, and help drive Viasat’s adoption of AI-assisted quality engineering and continuous delivery. As a senior member of the team, you will influence technical direction and contribute to the evolution of our test and integration capabilities.
The day-to-day
- Platform Engineering & Architecture
- Design, develop, and maintain scalable test and validation platforms supporting media server software running on Linux OS and virtualized environments.
- Build production-quality Python frameworks, libraries, services, and tooling that improve software quality and engineering efficiency.
- Develop reusable automation solutions for integration, system, regression, and end-to-end testing across Viasat’s terminal and ground ecosystems.
- CI/CD & Developer Productivity
- Define and evolve automation architecture to support multiple product generations and future platform growth.
- Own and enhance CI/CD infrastructure, automated validation workflows, and engineering productivity tooling used by globally distributed teams.
- Design and scale automated testing pipelines across multiple labs and environments, supporting increasing product and engineering complexity.
- Cross-Domain Debugging & Technical Leadership
- Develop solutions that enable rapid feedback, shorter development cycles, and higher deployment confidence.
- Improve observability, metrics, reporting, and dashboards that provide real-time insights into software quality and pipeline health.
- Drive Shift Left engineering practices by enabling developers to identify and resolve issues earlier in the software lifecycle.
- Partner with software, systems, networking, and platform engineering teams to establish scalable quality practices and testing strategies.
- Lead investigations into complex failures across software, infrastructure, networking, and automation systems.
- Mentor engineers and contribute to code reviews, design discussions, and technical decision-making.
- AI & Intelligent Automation
- Partner with Viasat’s Data & AI team to design and build Agentic AI solutions that reduce manual effort in test orchestration, debugging, root cause analysis, and operational workflows.
- Identify opportunities where AI-powered tooling can accelerate engineering productivity and improve product quality.
- Global Collaboration
- Work closely with engineering teams across the US, APAC, and Europe to deliver high-quality software and maintain reliable engineering operations.
- Support software validation activities for mission-critical aviation connectivity services where reliability, scale, and customer experience are essential.
What you’ll need
- Significant experience in Software Engineering, Software Engineering in Test (SDET), Developer Productivity Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related technical roles.
- Strong software development experience in Python, including designing reusable frameworks, services, libraries, and automation platforms.
- Experience building and scaling automation solutions for large, complex systems.
- Deep understanding of software development fundamentals, including object-oriented design, clean code practices, software architecture, and testing strategies.
- Experience designing and operating CI/CD systems using tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, or similar platforms.
- Strong Linux expertise, including systems configuration, debugging, automation, and scripting.
- Networking knowledge including TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP/S, DNS, DHCP, Multicast, REST APIs, and distributed systems concepts.
- Strong troubleshooting skills across software, infrastructure, automation, and networking layers.
- Experience working within Agile software development environments.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills in globally distributed teams.
What will help you on the job
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience with virtualized or cloud-based test environments.
- Experience developing developer productivity platforms or internal engineering tools.
- Experience with AI, ML, or Agentic AI solutions applied to software development, testing, or operational workflows.
- Experience in telecommunications, networking, satellite communications, aviation, in-flight connectivity, or other distributed systems domains.
- Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across projects.
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.
Senior Software Engineer (SDET, Python) in London employer: Viasat
At Viasat, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters innovation and collaboration in a dynamic global environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our inclusive work culture, where team members are encouraged to think big and act fearlessly while contributing to meaningful projects that have a real-world impact. With opportunities for mentorship and the chance to work alongside talented professionals across various regions, Viasat offers a unique platform for career advancement and personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (SDET, Python) in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Viasat or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Viasat.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Viasat.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Viasat that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer (SDET, Python) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Viasat.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Viasat and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Viasat
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Viasat uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
