Senior Mechanical Engineer - Space Infrastructure

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

ViaSat is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our growing space infrastructure team. In this role, you will contribute to the design, development, qualification, and production transition of mechanical systems and hardware for next-generation satellite platforms. You will serve as a key technical contributor across the full product lifecycle, developing innovative solutions for challenging spaceflight applications while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management.

The ideal candidate combines solid technical expertise in spacecraft mechanical design with the ability to solve complex problems, support technical direction, and collaborate effectively with fellow engineers.

The day-to-day

In this role, you will apply established engineering principles to develop reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective spacecraft hardware and systems.

You will:

• Support and contribute to mechanical design and development efforts for satellite structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, and deployable systems.
• Evaluate trade studies and develop engineering solutions that balance performance, schedule, cost, and risk.
• Support mechanical subsystem design from concept development through qualification, production, integration, and on-orbit support.
• Perform structural, thermal, vibration, shock, and environmental analyses to validate flight hardware designs.
• Develop engineering requirements, specifications, drawings, procedures, and qualification plans.
• Participate in hardware development, integration, testing, and anomaly resolution activities.
• Contribute to Design Reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and present technical data to program leadership.
• Collaborate closely with systems, thermal, electrical, manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product execution.
• Evaluate new technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes to improve product capability.
• Serve as a key technical contributor in spacecraft mechanical engineering.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience, including experience developing spaceflight hardware.
• Demonstrated experience developing mechanical systems, with a strong background in spaceflight hardware.
• Hands-on experience contributing to mechanical subsystem development for spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, or other aerospace systems.
• Solid understanding of structural, thermal, dynamic, and environmental requirements for space applications.
• Experience designing flight hardware using CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools including ANSYS, Nastran, Simcenter, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent.
• Experience with environmental qualification and acceptance testing, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and thermal cycling.
• Ability to solve complex technical problems with guidance as needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation of technical data.
• Experience working within cross-functional product development teams.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

What will help you on the job

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with small satellite, broadband constellation, or spacecraft bus development programs.
• Experience with composite structures, lightweight design, and deployable mechanisms.
• Knowledge of launch vehicle interfaces and spacecraft integration processes.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA principles and aerospace hardware production.
• Experience with Teamcenter, Windchill, or other PLM systems.
• Experience supporting suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Knowledge of spaceflight standards, workmanship requirements, and environmental qualification methodologies.
• Experience supporting root cause investigations and corrective actions.

Salary range

$120,500.00 - $190,000.00 / 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 $149,500.00- $224,500.00/ 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.