Senior Software Engineer - 5G Devices

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 The Viasat Access Edge Terminal Software team is responsible for the design, development, delivery and support of software running on embedded satellite terminal products (Ka-band, L-band, 5G) that are used in aviation, maritime, residential and other sectors. We are seeking an 5G Devices Senior Software Engineer to design and develop modular software platforms for user equipment (UE) and customer premises equipment (CPE). This role focuses on device-side software architecture, integrating industry-leading 5G chipsets with custom satellite and networking capabilities to create hybrid connectivity solutions for various markets including automotive, aviation, and maritime.  Note - This position focuses on device/UE software architecture and is distinct from RAN (gNodeB/base station) or 5G Core network roles. Candidates should have device-side, client-side, or CPE development experience rather than network infrastructure expertise.  The day-to-day Modular Software Architecture & Design   Design and implement modular software architectures with reusable building blocks, for devices that  operate on NTN with Viasat's  satellites   Develop software abstraction layers (HAL) and middleware that decouple application logic from modem hardware implementations   Create flexible, configurable software frameworks that support multiple device variants (many devices could have capabilities in addition to 5G, based on the target market), form factors, and deployment scenarios   Define clear interfaces and APIs between software modules to enable independent development, testing, and evolution of components   Balance architectural flexibility with performance requirements in resource-constrained embedded environments   5G Chipset Integration & Device Driver Development   Integrate 5G modem solutions from industry-leading vendors (Qualcomm, MediaTek, Intel) into device platforms and develop reference designs    Develop and maintain device drivers within the Linux kernel that support modem interfaces used in 5G technology (PCIe, USB, SDIO, UART)      Implement low-level software to control modem initialization, configuration, power management, and runtime behavior   Work with vendor Board Support Packages (BSP) and customize them for  Viasat's  specific hardware and use case requirements   Resolve challenging hardware-software integration faults  Optimize  performance for latency, throughput, power consumption, and system stability   Reference Design Development   Design and  maintain  reference software architectures that serve as templates for partner-developed devices   Create comprehensive SDK packages including libraries, sample code, documentation, and build tools for OEM/ODM partners   Develop "golden reference" implementations  demonstrating guidelines for building 5G NTN enabled devices compatible with  Viasat’s  network   Provide  technical guidance and support to external device manufacturers using reference designs   Ensure reference architectures are well-documented, maintainable, and follow industry standards (3GPP, GSMA)   Balance reference design completeness with flexibility to accommodate diverse partner  and market  requirements   System Integration & Validation   Collaborate with hardware engineering teams to define device architecture and hardware-software interfaces   Develop test frameworks and validation suites for 5G device software components   Conduct performance analysis, profiling, and optimization of end-to-end device software stack   Support field trials and customer deployments, slving issues and implementing fixes   Multi-Functional Leadership   Partner with chipset vendor Field Application Engineers (FAEs) to  leverage  vendor  expertise  and resolve technical issues   Collaborate with product management to translate business requirements into technical architectures   Work with application teams to ensure software building blocks meet upper-layer software needs   Mentor software engineers on 5G device technologies, driver development, and embedded systems best practices   Contribute to technical roadmaps and technology evaluation for future 5G device platforms   What you'll need Bachelor's degree  or equivalent work experience  in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field   8+ years of experience in embedded software development for wireless communication devices   5+ years of hands-on experience with 5G/LTE modem integration or device-side cellular protocol implementations   Proven  track record  of architecting and delivering commercial 5G UE or CPE products   Deep understanding of 5G NR device architecture, including RF, baseband, and application processor subsystems   Hands-on experience integrating 5G modem chipsets from vendors like Qualcomm, MediaTek, Intel, or Samsung   Knowledge of 3GPP UE protocol stacks ( NAS,  SDAP,  RRC , PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY layers from device perspective)   Familiarity with 5G NR physical layer procedures, MIMO techniques , carrier  aggregation .   Understanding of regulatory requirements (FCC, CE, carrier certifications) for 5G devices   Expert-level  proficiency  in C/C++ for embedded systems and system-level programming   Strong experience with Linux kernel development, including device driver implementation and kernel module debugging   Solid understanding of hardware interfaces: PCIe, USB, SDIO, SPI, I2C, GPIO   Experience with Android BSP development