Staff Embedded Software Engineer - 5G Devices & NTN Connectivity

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

At Viasat, we're building the next generation of global connectivity by seamlessly integrating terrestrial 5G networks with advanced satellite communications. Our Access Edge Terminal Software team develops the embedded software that powers innovative connectivity solutions across aviation, maritime, residential, automotive, and emerging mobility markets.

We are seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineers - 5G Devices & NTN Connectivity to architect and develop software platforms for 5G User Equipment (UE) and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). In this role, you will combine industry-leading 5G technologies with Viasat's satellite capabilities to create hybrid connectivity solutions that deliver reliable communications wherever customers operate.

This is a highly impactful engineering position focused on device-side software architecture, embedded Linux development, modem integration, and platform design. You will work closely with chipset vendors, hardware teams, and product stakeholders to define and deliver next-generation connected devices.

Note: This position focuses on device/UE software architecture and development and is distinct from RAN (gNodeB/base station) or 5G Core network roles. Candidates should have experience with device-side, client-side, or CPE software development rather than network infrastructure technologies.

The day-to-day

Software Architecture & Platform Development

• Design and implement modular software architectures with reusable building blocks for devices operating on Viasat's satellite and NTN networks.
• Develop hardware abstraction layers (HALs), middleware, and platform services that decouple application software from modem and hardware implementations.
• Create scalable software frameworks that support multiple device variants, deployment models, and market-specific requirements.
• Define robust APIs and interfaces that enable independent development, testing, and lifecycle management of software components.
• Balance architectural flexibility, maintainability, and performance in resource-constrained embedded environments.

5G Modem Integration & Embedded Development

• Integrate 5G modem solutions from industry-leading vendors such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, Intel, and other ecosystem partners.
• Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers supporting modem interfaces including PCIe, USB, SDIO, and UART.
• Implement software responsible for modem initialization, configuration, power management, diagnostics, and runtime operation.
• Customize vendor Board Support Packages (BSPs) to meet Viasat hardware and product requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware-software integration challenges.
• Optimize system performance for latency, throughput, power efficiency, reliability, and stability.

Reference Architectures & Partner Enablement

• Design and maintain reference software architectures used by OEM and ODM partners.
• Create SDKs that include software libraries, sample applications, documentation, and development tools.
• Develop "golden reference" implementations demonstrating best practices for building 5G NTN-enabled devices compatible with Viasat networks.
• Provide technical guidance and support to external development partners.
• Ensure reference platforms align with industry standards and evolving ecosystem requirements.
• Balance platform standardization with flexibility to support diverse partner and market needs.

System Integration & Validation

• Collaborate with hardware and systems engineering teams to define device architectures and software-hardware interfaces.
• Develop automated test frameworks and validation solutions for software platform verification.
• Perform software profiling, performance analysis, and end-to-end optimization.
• Support field trials, customer deployments, and production issue resolution activities.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with chipset vendor field application engineers (FAEs) and technical specialists to resolve complex integration challenges.
• Collaborate with product management to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Work closely with application development teams to ensure platform capabilities support future product needs.
• Mentor engineers on embedded systems, 5G device technologies, Linux development, and software engineering best practices.

What you'll need

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience developing embedded software for wireless communication devices.
• Proven track record delivering commercial 5G UE or CPE products.
• Familiarity with 5G device architecture, including RF, baseband, and application processor subsystems.
• Hands-on experience integrating 5G modem chipsets from vendors such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, Intel, or Samsung.
• Knowledge of 3GPP UE protocol stacks including NAS, SDAP, RRC, PDCP, RLC, MAC, and PHY layers from a device perspective.
• Familiarity with 5G NR procedures, MIMO technologies, carrier aggregation, and device performance optimization.
• Familiarity with regulatory and certification requirements including FCC, CE, and carrier approvals.

Software & Systems Expertise

• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded and system-level programming.
• Strong experience with Linux kernel development, device driver implementation, and kernel module debugging.
• Solid understanding of PCIe, USB, SDIO, SPI, I2C, GPIO, and related hardware interfaces.
• Experience with Android BSP development and/or embedded Linux distributions such as Yocto and Buildroot.
• Proven expertise developing Linux kernel drivers.
• Ability to debug kernel-level issues using tools such as ftrace, perf, crash analysis tools, and JTAG debuggers.
• Knowledge of device tree, ACPI, and platform initialization methodologies.

Leadership & Technical Skills

• Demonstrated ability to design modular, maintainable, and scalable software architectures.
• Experience building SDKs, reference platforms, or software frameworks used by external partners.
• Strong technical documentation skills, including architecture specifications, API documentation, and design proposals.
• Deep understanding of software design patterns, abstraction techniques, and interface design principles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex hardware-software interactions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across engineering teams, chipset vendors, and external partners.
• Experience working in Agile development environments.

What will help you on the job

Why You'll Love This Role

• Help pioneer the convergence of satellite and 5G communications technologies.
• Build products that deliver connectivity in places where traditional terrestrial networks cannot.
• Work directly with industry-leading chipset vendors and next-generation wireless technologies.
• Influence software architecture decisions across a growing portfolio of connected devices.
• See your work deployed globally across aviation, maritime, automotive, residential, and emerging mobility applications.
• Join a team that values technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and engineering ownership.

Salary range

$165,000.00 - $260,500.00 / 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 $205,000.00- $307,000.00/ 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.