Senior Mobile Packet Core Engineer

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.

Viasat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) provides IP connectivity to remote users almost anywhere in the world. BGAN satellite terminals interwork with a 3GPP compliant 3G core network for address allocation, session and mobility management and data transfer. The packet core is deployed on Inmarsat managed NFVi.

Viasat requires an additional Packet Core Engineer who will help to maintain the high level of availability and expert support that Viasat's customers have come to expect. This is very much a hands-on role and the successful candidate must be knowledgeable, pro-active, hard-working and self-reliant with the ability to work well under pressure when necessary. 

The Packet Core Engineer will join a small team that supports the whole of the packet core network and as such the role offers a wide variety of interesting work, the opportunity to learn new skills and to get involved in numerous projects

• Provide 3rd line support to Viasat Operations for problems that arise with the 3GPP packet core network. The PS Core Engineer will need to demonstrate the expertise necessary to solve non-routine problems anywhere within the network from the user terminal through to the connection with the Distribution Partner. This will require a high level of 3GPP systems knowledge, BGAN specific knowledge and IP networking knowledge
• Manage and implement the connection of new Distribution Partner networks to the Viasat network. This will include configuration of new Access Point Names (APNs) in the network, project management and documentation control, technical support to the Distribution Partner and ensuring that new APNs/interconnects have been tested properly by partners before they are brought into the live network
• Manage the deployment and testing of new software releases to the NFVi. This will include automation of deployments to the production environment following successful testing in the development environment and where possible automating functional testing of the new software. In addition the Senior Packet Core engineer will work with the vendor to review change notes and compliance statements and also resolve any issues identified during lab testing and subsequent deployment to the production network
• Support the automation of routine work using the most appropriate tools for the task at hand
• Support marketing teams and others in technical meetings and will be able to explain to partners and their customers in detail how the system works and the options available to them if they wish to establish an interconnect with Viasat. The PS engineer will also have the knowledge and understanding to discuss new or unusual customer requirements and to propose solutions that satisfy their needs
• Provide out of hours support on a rota basis for issues that cannot be resolved by the Tier 2 team
• Provide support to other teams/projects as required by the Director of Core Network Engineering     

• First Degree or equivalent in Telecommunications/Electronics Engineering or related field 
• Excellent knowledge and practical experience of IP networking and 3GPP packet core systems 
• Detailed knowledge of at least 3 of the following protocols including TCP/IP, PPP, IPSec, OSPF, BGP, GTP, CAP, RADIUS, RANAP, DIAMETER, DNS, QoS
• Hands-on experience of troubleshooting in live networks and expert use of protocol analysers such as Wireshark
• Good knowledge of Unix/Linux system administration and scripting
• Knowledge of and experience with virtualization technologies such as vMWare, KVM or similar, particularly
• networking aspects

Practical experience and good knowledge of:

• Experience of Ericsson packet core equipment
• Experience with SQL
• Experience in automation, script development or Dev Ops
• IP network configuration/design knowledge to Cisco CCNP level or equivalent
• Good knowledge of and hands on experience building servers and storage arrays
• Experience with Sandvine or Procera DPI tools

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.