Engineering Technician

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 Viasat Engineering Technician, you will help build and validate advanced antenna and RF systems that support commercial, government, airborne, satellite, and ground‑based communications. You’ll assemble, integrate, and test antenna products, perform RF and antenna characterization, and support engineering teams in evaluating new designs and technologies.

Your work directly contributes to system performance in real‑world operational environments, helping ensure reliable connectivity for aircraft, consumers, enterprise customers, and defense users. Being part of this team gives you hands‑on exposure to diverse RF technologies, test methodologies, and cutting‑edge hardware development.

You’ll collaborate with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams, gaining visibility into the full lifecycle of antenna and RF hardware — from prototype concepts through qualification and deployment.

The day-to-day

This role is dynamic and hands‑on. A typical day may include:

• Building and integrating antenna assemblies and components
• Setting up and running antenna characterization tests such as gain, G/T, axial ratio, passive intermodulation, phase matching, and return loss/VSWR
• Documenting test setups, design changes, and measurement results
• Troubleshooting performance issues alongside engineering teams
• Supporting test automation, measurement efficiency, and continuous improvement of lab processes
• Occasionally traveling to customer or test sites for installation, verification, or troubleshooting

No two days are exactly the same - you’ll move between lab work, test execution, and engineering collaboration.

What you'll need

• 5+ years of hands-on technical experience working with electronics, RF systems, or related hardware
• Ability to follow written procedures and independently complete assigned tasks
• Functional proficiency with computers and common software tools
• High School diploma or equivalent; ASEE preferred
• US citizenship required
• Ability to travel 10% and work alternate shifts as needed

What will help you on the job

• Experience working with RF or antenna test equipment (PNFs, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, power meters, signal generators)
• Familiarity with antenna or RF measurements in a lab environment
• Ability to write simple scripts (MATLAB, LabVIEW, Visual Basic, or similar) to process data or automate tasks
• Strong organizational skills for managing test data, configurations, and documentation
• A proactive mindset - someone who spots issues early, proposes solutions, and looks for opportunities to improve test throughput and processes
• Interest in growing into broader RF, antenna, or system‑level engineering support roles

Salary range

$32.21 - $50.96 / hourly. 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 $40.14 - $60.34/ hourly

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.