Optical Ground Station System engineer

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.

In this role you will be technically responsible and main interface for design and development of optical ground stations. This includes technical management of optical ground station design and deployment (proof of concept experiments and prototype build). Additionally, the ideal candidate will also participate in ESA projects and studies and is responsible for the SWaP-C analysis, lead requirements and use-case definition and down-flows.

Furthermore, additional duties will include:

1. Produce concept designs and relevant trade-off analysis
2. Technical coordination of the work of partners and suppliers
3. Identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution
4. Assist with sensitivity and reliability analysis as well as simulations and design choice and the optimization of optomechanical design
5. Advise on material and sub-components specification
6. Prepare relevant documentation for the full development
7. Support technology roadmap definition
8. Participation in conferences, monitoring the relevant scientific and technological trends

The ideal candidate should have hands-on design experience of Optical Ground Stations (OGS) for space optical communications (LEO, MEO, GEO). A deep understanding of systems engineering (requirements life cycle, preliminary and critical design, assembly-integration-validation, qualification) is essential.

Proven experience of working with lasercom, precision optics, fine-mechanics and control (telescopes, optical sensors/actuators, optical instrumentation, coarse pointing assemblies, optical building blocks, optomechanics, SW control, alignment control, fast steering mirror systems, sun avoidance, background filters, beacons, high-power beams, optical interfaces, free-space optics, fibers). This also should include OGS architectures, spatial diversity, adaptive optics, Pointing-Acquisition-and-Tracking techniques such as OGS housing, dome, control room, regulations, and safety. Lastly, experience in Environmental monitoring and understanding (characterization of the atmosphere, turbulence modeling, clouds attenuation, link availability, sky monitoring, channel emulators, impact of vibrations and thermal gradients).

1. At least 7+ years of relevant work experience in optical ground stations design
2. MS degree level or PhD or equivalent experience
3. Valid work permit for the Netherlands as this role is based in Amsterdam
4. Work experience in space industry/ESA
5. Deep understanding of relevant groundbreaking technologies and system architectures in the relevant field
6. Experience in technical monitoring of partners/suppliers and procurement processes and assessment of relevant outcomes
7. Knowledge of the industrial landscape in the field of optical ground instruments
8. Experience in working with a geographically distributed team and with a wide range of partners
9. Availability to travel to the US and across Europe to follow up with the other team members, contractors and to attend conferences

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 online application, please click here.