Aero and Maritime Safety Engineering, Senior Director

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.

The Aviation and Maritime Safety Engineering Senior Director will lead and provide technical direction to a small team of safety engineering specialists within the Engineering group who are responsible for all engineering aspects from initial concept to introduction of service of Aviation & Maritime Safety communication systems.

The postholder will focus on the evolution of Viasat's SwiftBroadband Safety infrastructure, based on a detailed understanding of the new and emerging communications and surveillance requirements for Air Traffic Management. They will serve as the technical/management lead for IRIS Phases 3 and 4, which may involve a potential transition to a GEO+LEO terminal. Over time, additionally building their knowledge of maritime safety requirements to become a focal point for the technical development of the new maritime safety services and products.

The role requires the development of an in-depth understanding of the regulatory and industry standards for safety communication systems and close working with industry partners within the Iris consortium including aircraft manufacturers (i.e. Airbus and Boeing), avionics suppliers, and air traffic communication service providers that provide message processing and ground connectivity to ATC centers, airline operational services and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). Additionally, the regulators who set the communication and surveillance requirements. The role will represent Viasat's engineering lead in meetings with suppliers and must be capable of dealing expertly with authorities in similar and adjacent fields.

Viasat, Inc. seeks an experienced chief systems engineer for this Senior Directorship within the Engineering Office Networks group, in close collaboration with the Systems Architecture group the IRIS Program Manager and PMO in general, the Product group, and the Aviation Business Unit. This position provides a competitive salary, performance-based bonus [and equity opportunities], and a full range of benefits.

• Lead/influence ICAO and aviation industry avionics systems standardisation, maintaining a constant watching brief on ATM regulatory technical developments and evolving system requirements.
• Compile system design requirements for next generation safety service developments.
• Produce system concepts, candidate architectures and conduct trade-off studies.
• Build detailed design specifications/supplier Statements of Work for use in driven procurements for evolution of Viasat's infrastructure.
• Take charge of defining technical solutions, costs, and benefits for internal cases.
• Lead suppliers for implementation, verification, and organizational change of the safety infrastructure.
• Develop and improve the operational model for planning service introduction readiness, initial operations (e.g. customer Beta testing), and ongoing service management metrics to meet performance standards.
• Handle the Commercial Service Introduction (CSI) of new products and services
• Form strong technical relationships with peers at satcom avionic manufacturers, airframers, ESA, and Viasat service providers.

• Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Computer or Communications science or equivalent experience of a minimum of 5 years.
• Technically proficient in telecommunications technologies, an understanding of IP-based mobile networking technologies and ideally satellite or mobile communications systems
• Terminal, ground gateway or networking datalink experience is required
• Strong analytical capability, able to conduct system engineering and technology trade-offs
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and manage relationships and trust
• Ability to work in a sophisticated, international matrix organization alongside 3rd-parties

• Knowledge of networking technology including routers, switches, and firewalls
• Working in a ISO27000 framework or equivalent
• Knowledge of IT security practices including IPSec and PKI
• Good knowledge of software development and engineering techniques
• Experience in the identification and collection of IT functional and non-functional requirements for large, sophisticated projects
• Data analysis and analytics techniques
• Knowledge of Viasat and other satellite communications systems.
• Avionics development
• Knowledge of aeronautical Air Traffic Service standards and processes; ICAO, ARINC, RTCA, Eurocae, Certification, especially Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN), and existing Air Traffic DataLink Service standards.
• Delivery of Air Traffic Communications service as an ANSP or communications supplier

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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.