Staff Engineer Jobs in Arizona
Staff Engineer jobs in Arizona are in strong demand, with hiring concentrated in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and cloud infrastructure across Phoenix, Tucson, and Scottsdale. Major employers with a lasting footprint in the state include Intel, Raytheon Technologies, and American Express, all of which staff engineering teams at scale. The most in-demand specializations are VLSI and chip design, embedded systems, and distributed systems architecture, reflecting Arizona's semiconductor-heavy industrial base. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Staff Engineer JobsOverview
Open roles47
Top employerViasat
Top cityPhoenix, AZ
Cities hiring7
Work type68% Hybrid
Top industryElectronics
Showing 5 of 47+ Staff Engineer jobs
Staff Mechanical Engineer, Thermal
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Added 1d ago
Viasat
Staff Mechanical Engineer, Thermal
Tempe, Arizona
Added 1d ago
Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer
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Added 1d ago
Viasat
Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer
Tempe, Arizona
Added 1d ago
Staff Mechanical Engineer, Structural
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Added 1d ago
Viasat
Staff Mechanical Engineer, Structural
Tempe, Arizona
Added 1d ago
Staff Materials and Process Engineer
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Added 1d ago
Viasat
Staff Materials and Process Engineer
Tempe, Arizona
Added 1d ago
Staff Software Engineer, Application Modernization
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Added 4d ago
HCVT
Staff Software Engineer, Application Modernization
Phoenix, Arizona
Added 4d ago
Added 1d ago
Staff Mechanical Engineer, Thermal
Viasat·Tempe, Arizona
Job functions:
$142k - $264k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
5,001-10,000 employees
Job Description
About us:
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in spacecraft thermal analysis and control with the ability to independently solve complex problems, influence technical direction, and mentor developing engineers.
The day-to-day:
You will:
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 highly motivated Thermal Engineer to join our growing space infrastructure team. In this role, you will lead the thermal analysis, design, development, qualification, and production transition of thermal control solutions and systems for next-generation satellite platforms. You will develop thermal models and control solutions to maintain spacecraft hardware within allowable operating temperatures throughout the mission. You will serve as a key technical contributor across the full product lifecycle, driving innovative solutions for challenging spaceflight applications while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in spacecraft thermal analysis and control with the ability to independently solve complex problems, influence technical direction, and mentor developing engineers.
In this role, you will lead and contribute to projects and programs of significant scope and complexity, applying advanced engineering principles to develop reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective spacecraft thermal control systems.
You will:
- Develop thermal models and control solutions to maintain spacecraft hardware within allowable operating temperatures throughout the mission.
- Lead thermal modeling, analysis, and development efforts for satellite structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, and payload systems.
- Independently define problems, evaluate trade studies, and develop engineering solutions that balance thermal performance, schedule, cost, and risk.
- Own thermal control subsystem design from concept development through qualification, production, integration, and on-orbit support.
- Perform and direct detailed thermal analysis, environmental predictions, and orbital thermal simulations to validate flight hardware designs.
- Develop thermal engineering requirements, specifications, procedures, and qualification plans.
- Lead thermal hardware development, integration, thermal vacuum testing, and thermal anomaly resolution activities.
- Drive Design Reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and provide thermal technical recommendations to program leadership.
- Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product execution.
- Evaluate new thermal control technologies, materials, coatings, and heat transfer processes to improve product capability and scalability.
- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and thermal analysts.
- Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in spacecraft thermal engineering and analysis.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, including significant experience developing thermal models and spaceflight hardware.
- Demonstrated experience leading thermal subsystem development and thermal analysis for spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, or other aerospace systems.
- Strong understanding of thermal management, heat transfer, orbital environments, dynamic, and environmental requirements for space applications.
- Experience with thermal engineering analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, ANSYS, or equivalent, alongside CAD software.
- Experience with thermal environmental qualification and acceptance testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC) and thermal cycling.
- Ability to independently solve complex thermal problems with limited direction.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation of technical data to management and customers.
- Experience working within cross-functional product development teams.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with a thermal/fluid focus.
- Experience with small satellite, broadband constellation, or spacecraft bus thermal development programs.
- Knowledge of advanced thermal hardware (heat pipes, radiators, MLI, heaters, louvers, and thermal interface materials).
- Knowledge of launch vehicle interfaces and spacecraft integration processes.
- Familiarity with production scaling of aerospace thermal hardware.
- Experience with Teamcenter, Windchill, or other PLM systems.
- Experience supporting suppliers and contract manufacturers for thermal components.
- Knowledge of spaceflight standards, workmanship requirements, and thermal qualification methodologies.
- Experience performing root cause investigations and driving corrective actions for thermal anomalies.
- Previous experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across teams.
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.
Viasat
Staff Mechanical Engineer, Thermal
Tempe, Arizona
Added 1d ago5,001-10,000 employees
Job functions:
$142k - $264k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
Job Description
About us:
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in spacecraft thermal analysis and control with the ability to independently solve complex problems, influence technical direction, and mentor developing engineers.
The day-to-day:
You will:
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 highly motivated Thermal Engineer to join our growing space infrastructure team. In this role, you will lead the thermal analysis, design, development, qualification, and production transition of thermal control solutions and systems for next-generation satellite platforms. You will develop thermal models and control solutions to maintain spacecraft hardware within allowable operating temperatures throughout the mission. You will serve as a key technical contributor across the full product lifecycle, driving innovative solutions for challenging spaceflight applications while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in spacecraft thermal analysis and control with the ability to independently solve complex problems, influence technical direction, and mentor developing engineers.
In this role, you will lead and contribute to projects and programs of significant scope and complexity, applying advanced engineering principles to develop reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective spacecraft thermal control systems.
You will:
- Develop thermal models and control solutions to maintain spacecraft hardware within allowable operating temperatures throughout the mission.
- Lead thermal modeling, analysis, and development efforts for satellite structures, mechanisms, electronics packaging, and payload systems.
- Independently define problems, evaluate trade studies, and develop engineering solutions that balance thermal performance, schedule, cost, and risk.
- Own thermal control subsystem design from concept development through qualification, production, integration, and on-orbit support.
- Perform and direct detailed thermal analysis, environmental predictions, and orbital thermal simulations to validate flight hardware designs.
- Develop thermal engineering requirements, specifications, procedures, and qualification plans.
- Lead thermal hardware development, integration, thermal vacuum testing, and thermal anomaly resolution activities.
- Drive Design Reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and provide thermal technical recommendations to program leadership.
- Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, reliability, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product execution.
- Evaluate new thermal control technologies, materials, coatings, and heat transfer processes to improve product capability and scalability.
- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and thermal analysts.
- Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in spacecraft thermal engineering and analysis.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, including significant experience developing thermal models and spaceflight hardware.
- Demonstrated experience leading thermal subsystem development and thermal analysis for spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, or other aerospace systems.
- Strong understanding of thermal management, heat transfer, orbital environments, dynamic, and environmental requirements for space applications.
- Experience with thermal engineering analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, ANSYS, or equivalent, alongside CAD software.
- Experience with thermal environmental qualification and acceptance testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC) and thermal cycling.
- Ability to independently solve complex thermal problems with limited direction.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation of technical data to management and customers.
- Experience working within cross-functional product development teams.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with a thermal/fluid focus.
- Experience with small satellite, broadband constellation, or spacecraft bus thermal development programs.
- Knowledge of advanced thermal hardware (heat pipes, radiators, MLI, heaters, louvers, and thermal interface materials).
- Knowledge of launch vehicle interfaces and spacecraft integration processes.
- Familiarity with production scaling of aerospace thermal hardware.
- Experience with Teamcenter, Windchill, or other PLM systems.
- Experience supporting suppliers and contract manufacturers for thermal components.
- Knowledge of spaceflight standards, workmanship requirements, and thermal qualification methodologies.
- Experience performing root cause investigations and driving corrective actions for thermal anomalies.
- Previous experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across teams.
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.
See All 47 Staff Engineer Jobs in Arizona
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Find Staff Engineer JobsStaff Engineer Jobs by City in Arizona
Where Arizona roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Staff Engineer Job Market in Arizona
A snapshot from current Arizona openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
What Arizona Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in staff engineer jobs across Arizona.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related engineering discipline
- Eight or more years of progressive engineering experience with a history of technical leadership
- Deep expertise in at least one core specialty such as embedded systems, VLSI design, or distributed systems
- Experience guiding cross-functional engineering teams and mentoring mid-level and senior engineers
- Proficiency with relevant design tools, programming languages, or cloud infrastructure platforms for the role
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-team collaboration and technical documentation
Staff Engineer Jobs in Arizona: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a staff engineer in Arizona?
The standard path to a staff engineer role in Arizona begins with a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related field, followed by several years of progressively senior engineering work. Arizona does not require a state-issued license for software or systems staff engineer roles, though engineers in civil, electrical, or structural disciplines may need a Professional Engineer license through the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration. Most hiring managers look for demonstrated technical leadership and a record of owning complex systems end to end.
Which companies hire staff engineers in Arizona?
Employers hiring staff engineers in Arizona right now include Viasat, Renesas, and Early Warning Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Arizona's semiconductor and aerospace sectors mean that chip design and embedded systems roles are especially prominent among local postings.
Which Arizona cities have the most staff engineer jobs?
Phoenix, Tempe, and Chandler have the most staff engineer openings in Arizona. Phoenix dominates by volume thanks to its concentration of semiconductor fabs, defense contractors, and major technology campuses, while Tucson draws steady hiring through Raytheon's large operations there and Scottsdale adds openings from fintech and cloud-services firms headquartered in the corridor.
Are there remote staff engineer jobs in Arizona?
Yes, and more than many engineering disciplines, particularly for software-focused staff engineers whose work centers on code review, architecture design, and system documentation. About 82% of staff engineer openings tied to Arizona are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how broadly distributed engineering teams have become. Roles tied to hardware, lab environments, or classified defense programs are far more likely to require an on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a staff engineer in Arizona with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is joining a large Arizona employer as a junior or associate engineer and building toward staff-level scope over time. Intel's university relations programs and Raytheon's rotational engineering development programs in Tucson are concrete starting points for new graduates. Adjacent roles such as senior software engineer, systems engineer II, or embedded firmware engineer are the common stepping stones. Earning a Professional Engineer credential through the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration or completing a relevant graduate certificate can accelerate the path.
Where can I find and apply to staff engineer jobs in Arizona?
You can find and apply to staff engineer jobs in Arizona on Migrate Mate, which lists current Arizona openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 47 Staff Engineer Jobs in Arizona
Find roles in Arizona that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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