Software 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

As a Software Engineer at Viasat, you will be at the forefront of a new era of software development. You won't just be writing code; you will be "teaching" and guiding AI models to transform existing codebases. This role focuses on utilizing Claude (Anthropic) to analyze, refactor, and document legacy code, ensuring our systems are scalable, efficient, and maintainable.

The day-to-day

• AI-Driven Refactoring: Use Claude to identify patterns in legacy codebases and generate refactored versions that adhere to modern design patterns and clean code principles.
• Prompt Engineering: Develop and refine sophisticated prompts to ensure the AI generates high-quality, secure, and context-aware code improvements.
• Validation & Testing: Implement a "Human-in-the-Loop" workflow by rigorously reviewing AI-generated code and writing comprehensive unit tests to ensure functional parity between old and new systems.
• Documentation: Utilize LLMs to automatically generate technical documentation, API schemas, and architectural diagrams from existing source code.
• Performance Optimization: Identify bottlenecks in current software and work with Claude to suggest and implement algorithmic improvements.
• Collaboration: Work closely with senior architects to ensure that AI-refactored code aligns with the long-term technical roadmap.

Additional Information:

• This position is located onsite. Viasat embraces a flexible work environment and onsite/hybrid work is determined by individual roles and teams. Relocation assistance is available pending eligibility.
• As an Early Career hire, you will participate in our Graduate Development Program during your first 12+ months at Viasat. This program is designed to support your transition from university to the workplace through dedicated mentorship, building relationships with your cohort of new grad hires, technical upskilling, soft skills development and more to ensure you're set up for success as you begin your professional journey with Viasat
• Viasat offers the following pre-determined start date options for incoming US Early Career hires (limited exceptions available)
• Monday, July 13, 2026
• Monday, August 3, 2026
• Monday, September 7, 2026

What you'll need

• Education: Completion of a Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 0-3 years of relevant professional experience
• Foundational Coding: Proficiency in at least one major language (e.g., Python, Java, C++, or Go) and a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms.
• Analytical Mindset: An ability to read and understand complex, "spaghetti" code and visualize how it should be restructured.
• AI Curiosity: Familiarity with Large Language Models (LLMs) and an interest in how generative AI is changing the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Quality Focus: A strong belief in "Shift-Left" testing and the importance of catching defects early through automated testing.

What will help you on the job

• Experience with Prompt Engineering or fine-tuning LLMs for technical tasks.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and how to integrate AI tools into automated workflows.
• Contributions to open-source projects or a portfolio demonstrating refactoring projects.
• Knowledge of DevOps principles and containerization (Docker/Kubernetes).

Salary range

$95,000.00 - $150,000.00 / 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 $118,000.00- $177,000.00/ 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.

Skills

API Documentation, Algorithms, Analysis Skills, Architectural Services, Artificial Intelligence (AI), C++ Programming Language, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Integration, Data Structures, Design Patterns Programming Methodologies, DevOps, Docker, Documentation, Functional Testing, Java, Mentoring, Modeling Languages, Open Source, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Refactoring, Software Development, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Software Engineering, Systems Scalability, Technical Writing, Test Automation, Test Plan/Schedule, Training/Teaching, Unit Test, Validation Testing

About the Company:

ViaSat Inc

Digital Communication Products for Commercial and Government Markets

ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to any location. We bring today’s new communication applications to people out of reach of terrestrial networks, in both the commercial and government sectors, with a variety of networking products and services.

Here you’ll find a company that is always asking,” What’s next?”, with the vertically integrated set of technologies to push the limits of what is possible for your system and service performance.

Products:

• Satellite networks for fixed-site and mobile communications
• Satellite antenna systems
• Wireless datalinks and terminals for combat situational awareness
• Cybersecurity and Information Assurance for military networking and encrypted data storage
• Mobile IP networking for soldiers
• Communication microprocessor chipsets
• Application and communication acceleration
• Satellite network and RF system design
• Communication simulation and training systems

Services:

• Global mobile satellite services for government and commercial aircraft, vehicles, and seagoing vessels
• Satellite Internet access and other broadband services for consumers, business, and government customers in the U.S.

Recognized for Innovation, Growth, and Stability

With these past awards, ViaSat is well known as a successful, innovative, high-growth company:

• World Technology Network - 2013 Winner, Communications Technology Award for high-capacity satellite system
• Arthur C. Clarke Foundation - Innovator Award, CEO Mark Dankberg
• Edison Awards 2013 - Bronze award for communications innovation
• Popular Science 2012 "Best of What's New" for Exede Internet and high-capacity satellite system
• Satellite Research and Markets - 2012 Visionary Executive of the Year
• Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) - 2012 Industry Innovator
• TechAmerica - 2011 American Technology Award in the Telecommunications
• Space News "Top 50 Space Companies"
• San Diego Magazine "Made In San Diego: 11 Cool Companies"
• Mark Dankberg American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) "2008 Aerospace International Communications Award"
• Hannover Fairs ISCe2004 Satellite Industry Award for Innovation and Technology
• Mark Dankberg Via Satellite “2003 Satellite Executive of the Year”
• Defense Systems "Super 75"
• DefenseNews "Top 100 Defense Contractors"
• DefenseNews "Fast Track 50"
• Washington Technology "Top 100 Federal Prime Contractors"
• Three-time INC. 500 prior to going public in 1996
• See What We Do at ViaSat - an Interactive Graphic
• Read Recent Articles About ViaSat

Surpassing 2,900 Employees and $1 Billion in Sales

The company employs over 2,900 professional and support personnel. The largest department is engineering, with many holding graduate degrees in electrical engineering or computer science. Annual revenues hit a record $1.1 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year (ended March 29, 2013).

History

ViaSat is part of the well-known Linkabit Corporation “family-tree” that spawned hundreds of San Diego area telecom startups, including Qualcomm, General Instruments, and Titan. Founded in 1986 by three former M/A-Com Linkabit employees, ViaSat is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol VSAT. Go to the History, Timeline or Industry Innovation & Firsts pages for more details.

To find out more about ViaSat, use the links on this page to explore our Web site.

Note: ViaSat Inc. is a separate company from and is not affiliated with Viasat Broadcasting, owned by Modern Times Group, Sweden.

Company Size:

2,500 to 4,999 employees

Industry:

Telecommunications Services

Founded:

1986

Website:

http://www.viasat.com/company/about/about-viasat