Viasat

Chief Technical Officer, UK

United Kingdom - Farnborough Ref #13663 21-Dec-2022

Job Description

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 is internationally renowned as an innovative, high-growth and world leader technology Company.  Viasat UK specialises in the design, development and delivery of information assurance and cyber security solutions for government and corporate applications which hold prestigious accreditations worldwide.  Joining Viasat UK means you will have the unique opportunity to work on the development of a variety of leading edge products and applications within the security and communications industry.  You must be capable of obtaining (or already hold) security clearance to work on UK Government projects.


The Role


The CTO (Chief Technology Officer) is a key leadership role within the Viasat UK business.  The leader will manage, steer and maintain the Viasat UK technology roadmaps. Identify and develop emerging technologies that align to the strategic plan and innovate through identification of adjacent capabilities that support the core of the business. The individual will co-ordinate with the director of engineering to ensure the right skills are in the business to deliver the future technology and product roadmaps.

The individual will share and agree roadmaps with customers and partners to support the business growth targets.  



Job Responsibilities

Essential functions of this role include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supports the in the business in developing and maintaining strategies for expanding business opportunities with existing and new customers.
• Manage, steer and maintain Viasat UK technology roadmaps:
  • Observe market forces/needs to identify key technologies for investment
  • Maintain long-term technology roadmaps (0-10 years)
  • Align Viasat UK technology roadmaps with other business areas and in line with government systems and Viasat. 
  • Particular focus on the developing the space resilience roadmap and aligning to growth in the UK.
o
• Influence, review, and own the internal research and development business cases and present them for approval across the business.
• Coordinate with the engineering director to ensure engineering staff skillset is aligned with current and future technology needs.
• Identify and develop emerging technologies and technical leaders within the business (supporting succession planning).
• Manage and oversee Viasat UK IP and patent strategy
• Evaluate and ensure the return on investment by expanding the client portfolio aligned to the business strategic plan. Observe market forces/needs to identify key technologies for investment
• Seek out and embrace new technologies to advance the products and processes
• Actively participates in programme reviews, account planning and sales funnel meetings
• Participate in requirements analysis, design reviews, and key development programmes as a independent checker and peer.
• Support the business development team by providing technical solutions to bids and reviewing proposals.
• Influence customers and government leaders through key technology and market needs / trends.
• Interact with private sector leaders to enhance Viasat technology and capabilities:
o Establish key relationships with industry leaders (especially technical leaders)
o Align Viasat technology with emerging capabilities and gaps
o Forge strategic partnerships
o Evaluate M&A opportunities

In addition, from time to time, you may be asked to undertake other tasks and responsibilities not covered above in order to achieve project or corporate objectives.

Requirements

• Proven experience in engineering / technology leadership for a minimum of 20 years
• Technical product/portfolio management experience in government/military
• Team lead or demonstrable technical mentorship experience driving towards a goal or key business objectives
• Preferably CEng (not essential)
• UK Security Clearance (able to achieve DV)
• Proven experience in the Space sector and deployment of communications and networking technology
• Subject matter expert in space, space resilience and space payloads.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally
• Must be eligible to live and work in the UK

Skills/Knowledge/Areas of expertise:

  • Highly organised, self-motivated, able to multi-task and work to deadlines
  • Flexible team player
  • Strong leader
  • Able to build and maintain relationships with internal and external customers
  • Able to communicate at all levels, in particular at senior management level
  • Experience with secure data at rest and data in transit technologies
  • IT literate in MS Office Word, Excel, etc.
  • Be reliable and hard working
  • Self-motivated and flexible

Desired Skills:

  • Technical product management experience in government/military markets
  • Proven ability to seamlessly integrate into a high performing team
  • Experience briefing senior government/military executives
  • Experience winning and executing government/military contracts
  • Demonstrated experience driving innovation and technology discriminators into programmes
  • Successful proposal technical leadership capabilities and experience
  • Experience working government / defence programmes (large/complex) with direct customer interfaces, both internal and external, including Industry Partners
  • Working knowledge of Security requirements
  • Strong proficiency in partnering across an organization with colleagues in finance, contracts, engineering
  • Demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills
  • Comprehension of budgets and understanding of business planning
  • Highly organized with strong leadership skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities
  • Able to conduct research and analyses of technology and knowledge of technology trends
  • Able to use current technological trends to build a business strategy

Required Education:

Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Science, or Mathematics; or relevant experience


To learn more about this site and other office locations, please click here!

Additional Requirements and Information

Minimum Education
Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience
Years of Experience
20+ years
Travel
Up to 10%
Citizenship
United Kingdom National required
Clearance
Must be able to obtain a United Kingdom security clearance
Worker Classification
Employee

Apply

Share with

Back to search jobs

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.