Principal Systems Security Engineer
- Top Secret clearance
How this pay compares
This posting states $200k–$316k a year. Open cybersecurity expert jobs in California post a median of $171k a year, the middle half $156k–$202k, across 60 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post.
Cybersecurity experts in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
## About us At Viasat, the work you do helps people stay connected in ways that matter, from everyday moments to critical missions across air, land, sea, and space. We’re a place for people who are curious, bold, and motivated by meaningful work. Here, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, explore new possibilities, and grow your career in ways that align with your interests and goals.
When you're ready to take on something new, you'll find leaders who support your development and help you turn your ambition into action. ## What you'll do We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Systems Security Engineer to join our Systems Security Engineering organization.
Responsibilities for this role include architecting, implementing, and advancing security controls across enterprise, cloud, product, and infrastructure environments.
The ideal candidate will have a background in Information Assurance (IA) and Cybersecurity frameworks, and combines deep technical expertise with strong systems thinking, enabling them to identify security risks, design scalable security solutions, and influence engineering teams across the organization. ## The day-to-day This role is heavily focused on IA and security architecture, providing guidance across network, software, infrastructure, cloud, and physical security teams to ensure compliance with current and future NIST guidelines. - Collaborate with multi-functional teams to develop, build, and/or implement secure architectures for ground and space networks. - Lead security reviews for new systems, infrastructure, applications, and technology initiatives. - Conduct threat modeling, architecture assessments, and security risk evaluations - Create and lead an information security program specific to the constructed architecture. - Provide technical and policy guidance that will enable successful RMF security accreditation efforts. - Implement the DoD Zero Trust framework within target programs. - Develop and maintain security standards, reference architectures, and engineering standard processes. - Communicate security risks, recommendations, and architectural decisions to technical and business partners. ## What you'll need - Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Security, or related field, or equivalent practical experience. - 12+ years of experience leading complex security engineering and architecture initiatives. - Strong understanding of security architecture principles and defense-in-depth strategies. - Experience designing and implementing security controls in enterprise-scale environments. - Hands-on experience securing cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform. - Experience usign SPRS and eMASS platforms. - Experience with identity and access management, authentication, authorization, and privileged access controls. - Knowledge of network security, endpoint security, vulnerability management, and infrastructure security standard processes. - Experience conducting threat modeling, security assessments, and architecture reviews. - Proficiency with scripting and automation using PowerShell, Python, Bash, or similar languages. - Strong problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills. - Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical partners. - Ability to travel up to 20%.
This role will require travel to our offices in Carlsbad, CA and Reston, VA. - U.S.
Citizenship required. - Must have an active Top Secret Clearance. ## What will help you on the job - CISSP, CCSP, GIAC, Azure Security Engineer, AWS Security Specialty, or similar industry certifications. - Experience implementing Zero Trust architectures and modern identity security strategies. - Knowledge of cloud-native technologies, containers, Kubernetes, and platform engineering practices. - Experience with SIEM, SOAR, XDR, and security monitoring platforms. - Experience working within regulated environments and security frameworks such as NIST, CIS Controls, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, or FedRAMP. - Extensive familiarity with security automation and DevSecOps methodologies. - Ability to influence technical direction across teams without direct authority. - Experience presenting security architecture recommendations to senior leaders and executive partners. - Experience with MBSE. - Proven ability to balance security risk reduction with business and operational objectives. - The ability to manage competing priorities and timelines. - Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. - Strong self-motivation and independent work ethic. #LI-AF1 ## Salary range $200,000.00 - $315,500.00 / 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 $248,500.00- $372,500.00/ 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 .
Where you can work from
This job is 100% remote, for applicants who live in the United States.
From Viasat's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Moseley Technical ServicesEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm in Huntsville, Alabama, placing engineers and A&P, sheet metal, CNC and quality technicians.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New ground software and IT jobs in space in California, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About Viasat
Satellite broadband and secure communications for consumers, airlines, businesses and governments.
Pay on its listings: 74.8% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Viasat's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More open jobs at Viasat
- Senior Embedded Software Engineer$140,500–$221,500/yr
- Senior Software Engineer (Lead) - Terminal Software$168,000–$265,000/yr
- Systems Engineer$95,000–$149,500/yr
- Senior Full Stack Software Engineer$165,000–$260,500/yr
- Software Engineer - Access Edge Terminal Software$117,000–$185,000/yr
- Senior Supplier Quality Engineer$117,500–$185,500/yr
More ground software and IT jobs in space
A software or IT professional?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
Viasat openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from Viasat's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.