4G-5G Principal Systems Architect

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.

You will lead aspects of the architecture, high- and low-level design, integration, and deployment for broadband and mobile IoT radio access networks and systems, working alongside others in the team with complementary specialties to your own. You will have a strong interest and enthusiasm for not only applying but also supporting the development of the 3GPP standards for Terrestrial (TN) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) in 5G/6G. An appreciation for OpenRAN concepts and other disaggregated software-defined system models and architectures is essential.

You are diligent and proactive, show excellent business judgment, employ effective strategic and tactical thinking, and have the ability to work both collaboratively and independently in a supportive team environment.

• Use innovative thinking and novel technologies to research, design, develop and demonstrate new access network concepts and architectures that meaningfully improve existing and future Viasat systems and capabilities;
• Provide clear and justified analysis of system choices, considering market requirement match, strategic fit in the portfolio, strategic fit in the industry, complexity, cost and risks;
• Take an active role as a subject matter expert in 3GPP and Open RAN principles, system architecture and protocols and apply them to the design of Viasat's systems;
• Strengthen Viasat's presence within technical standardization bodies and shape future architectures in 3GPP from Release 19 onwards (towards 6G) through active participation in the 3GPP TSG RAN working groups GSMA, and ETSI;
• Design, specify, document and maintain novel radio link and system-level simulation tools;
• Work with our industry and manufacturing partners to develop and test PoC network implementations to validate system designs;
• Manage procurement processes to find suitable radio access network equipment/technology vendors that can meet Viasat's specific performance and deployment requirements;
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders to evangelize the capabilities/benefits offered by proposed designs and work with them to align the technology roadmap so that it supports their commercial and operational goals;
• Take an active role in establishing the baseline scope, timeline and cost of investment cases - ensuring open, fair and reasoned analysis; and
• Propose and obtain approval (at Executive Team/Board level) for the technology and infrastructure investments required to implement the architecture roadmap.

• BSc/BEng (or higher degree) in a relevant technical degree (Satellite Communications, Telecommunications, Physics, Computer Science);
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in satellite or terrestrial mobile communication systems, ideally with the design, procurement and deployment of 4G NB-IoT and 4G/5G broadband systems;
• Experience with 3GPP and 3GPP-based mobile communication systems, protocols and end-to-end architectures - particularly 4G/5G generations and NTN aspects, but also with insight into 6G;
• An ability to recite 4G/5G signaling/call flows across key interfaces;
• Proven experience with conceptualizing, designing, and testing:

• physical layer systems of the UE and base station (physical layer control and data procedures, provisioning and interaction with upper layers, physical layer multiplexing, channel coding and error detection, etc.)
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 radio protocols and interfaces (scheduling, radio resource control procedures, etc.)
• Theoretical knowledge and/or hands-on experience on Radio Access Network related resource management testing and performance assessment, with knowledge of Radio Controller and System Orchestration frameworks;
• A demonstrable ability to perform RF performance analysis, including intra- and inter-system interference;

• An enthusiasm for standardization;
• Experience with the 3GPP working procedures and standardization process, ideally through direct participation in TSG RAN, or other related bodies;
• Confident spoken and written communication skills in English (proficiency in a second language is highly desirable)
• Understanding of technology, market access, and regulatory issues in the satellite sector;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences as well as extensive experience in internal and external partner management;
• Willingness to work hands-on in lab environments and testbeds;
• an ability to travel up to 30% of the time on average; and Multi-cultural awareness; experience of working in, and with, a wide variety of cultures in a global environment

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 .