VP Space Systems

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.

Central Engineering is a global and growing organization as the worldwide constellation of satellites and ground systems grows with the expanding Viasat satellite constellation. Central Engineering is responsible for developing the technology, products, and services that enable the government and commercial business units to achieve their strategic plans. With support to strong external government and commercial businesses, in addition to internal development, Central Engineering is increasingly diverse in its responsibilities to the success of the company. It plays a fundamental role in providing connectivity across the constellation of Viasat satellites to enable the strategic growth of the company.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced engineering leader for the Space Systems team, which includes the space team from both the legacy Viasat and Inmarsat businesses. This function executes on the planned deliverables to design, develop, deploy our strategic space segment assets to enable the business segments to provide the customers products and services they need for worldwide connectivity. This role coordinates across all Viasat's organizations to achieve company strategic goals.

* Serve as a member of the Central Engineering Leadership team, continuously shaping the organization to best meet Viasat's strategic and operational needs.
* Design, lead, and manage a team filling an organizational role that will require significant influence across stakeholder organizations to establish cross company alignment.
* Provide leadership to the teams delivering the space segment capabilities, both through internal capabilities as well as with external partners.
* Responsibility for successfully delivering space segment capabilities to schedule and cost objectives
* Develop satellite manufacturing capabilities to build satellites at scale using modern manufacturing techniques, including AI for automation
* Maintain and develop relationships with key external suppliers/partners globally, including space hardware, system primes, satellite services, launch vehicles, insurers, and regulators worldwide
* Drive Make/Buy/Partner analysis/decision
* Close working with global engineering teams to develop a roadmap for delivering differentiated space technology capabilities utilizing Viasat's vertical integration capabilities
* Drive business results with reliable, predictable execution
* Work with the business functions to develop a coordinated delivery path linking the products and services roadmap to the space segment capabilities
* Reporting on space segment delivery up to Executive and Board level
* Engage stakeholders across Central Engineering, Product Management, Business Segments, and Corporate functions to drive positive impact of this organization
* Ensure both leaders and individual contributors are supported in their professional growth and development through guidance, mentorship, training, and opportunity
* Ensure workflows within this organization and across stakeholder organizations are clear, streamlined, and supported by appropriate enterprise tools
* Manage budgets to carry out the mission of the organization and provide a high value to cost ratio for the business
* Champion a culture of innovation, encouraging team members to explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches
* Identify and address any challenges or roadblocks that may arise during the development lifecycle, ensuring the successful delivery of projects

* A minimum of 10 years' experience leading teams in the space domain
* A clear vision for future space system architectures, especially in the context of new space economy
* Strong commercial understanding of how space systems capabilities can enable the delivery of profitable products and services for Viasat's current and future markets
* Extensive experience in setting up automated manufacturing pipelines to

• build spacecraft platform,
• payload and antenna subsystem designs; system budgets;
• spacecraft assembly, integration and test activities;
• launch vehicle interfacing and mission design.

* Detailed understanding of payload designs in terms of performance, manufacturability, reliability, and operability
* Provide clear direction to suppliers to ensure product assurance requirement and performance metrics are met. Activity address and manage any supplier performance issues
* Lead the technical support provided by Engineering to Operations for real-time resolution of spacecraft anomalies
* Understanding of the ground, software and terminals domains to ensure optimization of the space segment architecture
* Must have proven experience leading organizational transformations and be able to provide examples of being an agent for change in a collaborative environment
* Experience in developing leaders demonstrated through implemented succession plans and advancement of protegees.
* Strong oral and written communication skills for audiences ranging from individual to large groups and from individual contributors to executives
* Experience in delivering complex engineering projects, from conception to deployment, with a focus on quality, schedule, cost and customer satisfaction
* Ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders; Ability to apply a collaborative/consultative working and leadership style.
* Demonstrated analytical skills with the ability to judge situations accurately and quickly, grasp complexities, identify key issues, and apply sound judgment
* Experience with budget responsibility for large organizations, preferably both government and commercial (definition, estimating, forecasting, tracking, and accountability)

* Experience in leading complex design, development, integration, test and deployment of large programs and projects on a global scale in the satellite domain
* Experience building state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities
* Experience leading teams with the highest levels of experience and expertise
* Experience leading teams to deliver results in multiple program/product/project management frameworks
* Passion for staying updated with industry trends and advancements
* Ability to move forward through conflicting priorities with common sense and appreciation of stakeholder positions

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.