Associate Mechanical Engineer, Early Career

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 motivated Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our growing space infrastructure team. In this role, you will assist in the design, development, qualification, and production transition of mechanical systems and hardware for next-generation satellite platforms. You will work under the guidance of senior team members across the full product lifecycle, supporting innovative solutions for challenging spaceflight applications while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management.

The ideal candidate combines foundational technical knowledge in spacecraft mechanical design with an eagerness to learn, solve problems, and collaborate effectively with fellow engineers.

The day-to-day

In this role, you will apply basic engineering principles to assist in developing reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective spacecraft hardware and systems. You will:

• Support and assist with mechanical design and development efforts for satellite structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, and deployable systems.
• Help evaluate trade studies and support engineering solutions that balance performance, schedule, cost, and risk.
• Support mechanical subsystem design tasks from initial concepts through qualification, production, integration, and on-orbit support.
• Learn to perform entry-level structural, thermal, vibration, shock, and environmental analyses to assist in validating flight hardware designs.
• Draft and update engineering requirements, specifications, drawings, procedures, and test plans under supervision.
• Participate in hardware development, integration, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
• Attend Design Reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and help prepare technical data presentations.
• Work collaboratively with systems, thermal, electrical, manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams on product execution tasks.
• Learn about new technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes to support product capability improvements.

Additional Details

• This position is site-based. Site

  ‑

  based employees work 3+ days (60%+) per week from a Viasat office or work location within a standard five

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  day work week. Viasat embraces a flexible work environment and onsite/hybrid work is determined by individual roles and teams. Relocation assistance is available pending eligibility.

What you'll need

• Education: Completion of Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience: This role is intended for someone with 0-3 years of full-time, relevant industry experience. 
• Citizenship: This position requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Additional:
  • Demonstrated interest in generative AI and AI-assisted software development through coursework, projects, or research. Experience using Claude or similar AI development tools is a plus.
  • Basic understanding of mechanical systems and exposure to aerospace or spaceflight concepts.
  • Educational or internship experience with mechanical subsystem design for spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, or related systems.
  • Foundational understanding of structural, thermal, dynamic, and environmental requirements for space applications.
  • Familiarity with designing hardware using CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent.
  • Basic familiarity with engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS, Nastran, Simcenter, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent coursework.
  • Exposure to environmental qualification and acceptance testing processes, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and thermal cycling.
  • Ability to solve technical problems with guidance and mentorship.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to share technical data clearly.
  • Ability to work effectively within cross-functional team environments.

What will help you on the job

• Relevant internship, co-op, or academic project experience related to spacecraft, satellites, or aerospace systems.
• Exposure to composite structures, lightweight design, or deployable mechanisms.
• Basic knowledge of launch vehicle interfaces and spacecraft integration processes.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA principles and aerospace hardware manufacturing.
• Exposure to Teamcenter, Windchill, or other product data management tools.
• Familiarity with general spaceflight standards and workmanship requirements.

Salary range

$77,000.00 - $122,000.00 / 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 $96,000.00- $144,000.00/ 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 careers.viasat.com/LifeAtViasat/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.