VP, Strategic Initiatives for Space and Mission Systems

Job description

from Viasat careers

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 groundbreaking Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives to join our leadership team passionate about aerospace and operational objectives. This high-impact executive role sits at the intersection of long-term corporate strategy, advanced technology development, and strategic business growth.

 

You will be responsible for shaping Viasat’s posture across next-generation space architectures, driving high-value business development initiatives, and providing executive guidance to critical space programs. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of National Security Space (NSS) dynamics and military SATCOM (MILSATCOM). They also understand evolving Space Force (USSF) acquisition models and the private space sector.  

The day-to-day

Strategic Architecture & Market Shaping

• Craft Long-Term Strategy: Assist in driving the strategic roadmap for Space and Mission Systems, aligning internal R&D with evolving DoW, intelligence community, and private sector space requirements.  
• Strategic Analysis: Understand market trends, user gaps, competitor capabilities, and emerging space technologies (e.g., hybrid space architectures, proliferated LEO/MEO constellations, and optical communications) to identify non-linear growth opportunities.
• Thought Leadership: Represent Viasat at major industry fora, executive-level government engagements, and advisory boards to position the company as a leading architect of future space capabilities.  

Strategic Business Development & Capture

• High-Value Pursuit Growth: Lead the identification, qualification, and early-stage shaping of large-scale, strategic space programs and government contracts.
• Partnerships & Alliances: Evaluate and complete strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and teaming arrangements with industry peers, non-traditional defense contractors, and commercial space innovators.  
• Act as a primary interface to senior government collaborators, acquisition commands, and corporate executives to pitch complex, coordinated space mission solutions.  

Program Guidance & Mission Assurance

• Executive Oversight: Provide strategic counsel, risk mitigation, and execution mentorship to portfolio managers leading complex space hardware, software, and terrestrial support programs.  
• Red Team Reviews: Serve as a key reviewer for critical program achievements and high-consequence proposal submissions to ensure alignment with customer mission success.  

What you'll need

• 10+ Years of Leadership: Proven track record of progressive executive leadership within the aerospace, defense, or commercial space sectors.
• Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of space systems, satellite payloads, orbital mechanics, tactical data links, network management, and ground segment architectures.
• Defense Acquisition Literacy: Demonstrated success navigating government acquisition processes, OTA (Other Transaction Authority) frameworks, and major defense programs of record.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Physics, Finance, or a related technical or business area; Master’s degree, MBA, or similar experience is preferred.  
• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI) is required.

What will help you on the job

• The Strategic Visionary and Tactical Athlete:  An executive who doesn't just write slide decks, but is highly skilled at providing guidance to the execution of programs and driving concepts from the whiteboard to operational reality.
• Outstanding Communicator: Ability to distill complex, highly technical space architectures into clear, compelling, and actionable value propositions for diverse collaborators.  

Salary range

$209,000.00 - $329,500.00 / 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 $259,000.00- $389,000.00/ 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 https://careers.viasat.com/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.