UI Design Intern, Viasat Government

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Design Intern, Viasat Government

Company: Viasat, Inc.

Location: College Station, Texas, United States

Job Type: INTERN

Category: Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-02-20T16:47:00

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Internship)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design for a custom customer-facing network management platform.

• The role involves collaborating with engineers and stakeholders to understand user needs and translate them into intuitive design solutions.

• Key responsibilities include creating wireframes, designing a new UI, and conducting feedback sessions to iterate on designs.

• This position offers practical experience in a government-focused technology environment, emphasizing user-centric design principles and cross-functional teamwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input describes a UI Design Intern role, the output is structured to highlight operations-adjacent aspects where applicable, such as understanding user needs for a platform that manages customer networks, control access, and configurations. The focus remains on design but acknowledges the operational context of the platform.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with engineers, product managers, and other cross-functional team members to gain a comprehensive understanding of the existing platform's functionalities and user workflows.

• Conduct user research and gather feedback from internal teams and external customers to identify pain points and requirements for the platform.

• Develop innovative UI designs, including creating detailed wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes that enhance user intuitiveness and efficiency.

• Present design concepts and progress through regular demos and feedback sessions, incorporating constructive criticism to refine the user experience.

• Contribute to the overall design strategy by advocating for user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded to reflect the typical scope of a UI/UX intern role within a technology company, emphasizing collaboration, research, design deliverables, and iterative feedback processes. The mention of "customer-facing networks" and "access control and configuration services" hints at an operational context for the platform being designed.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Basic understanding of UI/UX principles and design processes.

• Eagerness to learn and openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from mentors and team members.

Required Skills:

• Foundational knowledge of UI/UX design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and user journey mapping.

• Proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch, Figma, or InVision.

• Experience in creating wireframes and basic prototypes to visualize design concepts.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with user research techniques and methods for gathering user insights.

• Experience with prototyping tools to create interactive user flows.

• Understanding of responsive design principles and their application across different devices.

• Basic knowledge of web technologies like HTML/CSS.

• Exposure to network concepts such as VLANs, subnets, and VPNs (beneficial for understanding the platform's context).

📝 Enhancement Note: The required and preferred skills sections have been detailed to include specific design tools and concepts relevant to UI/UX internships. The inclusion of network concepts as a preferred skill is an inference based on the description of the platform being designed, which relates to network management. This adds a layer of depth relevant to the specific project context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a foundational understanding of design thinking and user-centered design processes through case studies.

• Showcase examples of wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups that illustrate problem-solving and design rationale.

• Include any projects that highlight iterative design based on feedback or user testing, even if from academic work or personal projects.

Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is not expected for an intern, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process, from initial concept to final design.

• Be ready to explain how they approach understanding project requirements and user needs.

• Articulate how they incorporate feedback and iterate on designs to improve the final output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, portfolio requirements are typically less stringent and focus on demonstrating foundational skills and process understanding rather than extensive professional experience. This section emphasizes academic projects and personal work as valid sources for portfolio content, focusing on the candidate's design thinking and iterative capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $20.91 - $56.97 per hour (General range for College Station, TX location)

Benefits:

• Housing and relocation assistance may be available for eligible interns.

• Access to Viasat's comprehensive benefit offerings focused on holistic health and wellness.

• Opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in a professional technology environment.

• Mentorship and guidance from experienced design and engineering professionals.

Working Hours:

• Full-time commitment: 40 hours per week for the entire duration of the internship program.

• Specific internship cohorts are defined:

  • Cohort 1: May 18, 2026 – August 14, 2026
  • Cohort 2: June 22, 2026 – September 18, 2026

• Work is primarily on-site, with potential for hybrid arrangements determined by individual roles and teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided in the input is broad. For the College Station, TX location, a more typical intern rate would likely be at the lower to mid-end of the stated range. The higher end might apply to more senior roles or specific high-cost-of-living areas, which is noted for clarity. Benefits have been inferred based on standard internship programs and company offerings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Defense, Telecommunications, Technology. Viasat operates in a highly regulated sector, providing advanced communication and networking solutions for government and commercial clients. This context implies a focus on security, reliability, and robust engineering practices.

Company Size: Large (Over 5,000 employees). This indicates a well-established organization with structured processes, diverse teams, and potential for significant project scope.

Founded: 1986. Viasat has a long history, suggesting stability, experience, and a proven track record in its industry.

Team Structure:

• The UI/UX intern will likely be part of a product development team focused on networking solutions for government clients. This team will include software engineers, possibly product managers, and senior UX/UI designers who will serve as mentors.

• The team operates within the broader Viasat Government segment, implying a need for understanding government requirements and standards.

Methodology:

• Viasat likely employs a mix of agile and waterfall methodologies, common in large engineering organizations, particularly those serving government contracts.

• The design process will emphasize user-centricity, data-driven decision-making, and iterative development cycles, especially for a new UI initiative.

• Emphasis on collaboration, feedback loops, and clear documentation of design decisions will be crucial.

Company Website: https://careers.viasat.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been inferred from the "Viasat Government" designation and general knowledge of the aerospace and defense industry. This helps frame the operational environment and expectations for an intern working on government-related projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Internship. This role is designed for individuals early in their career, providing foundational experience in UI/UX design within a corporate setting. It's an entry point into professional design roles.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a designated mentor, likely a Senior UI/UX Designer or a Design Lead within the Viasat Government team. They will also work closely with software engineers and potentially product managers.

Operations Impact: While the role is focused on design, the impact is significant. By improving the UI of the network management platform, the intern will contribute to enhanced usability, efficiency, and potentially reduced training overhead for both internal Viasat teams and external government clients. This directly supports the operational effectiveness of network management.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Direct application of UI/UX design principles, hands-on experience with industry-standard design tools, and exposure to user research methodologies.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining insight into the aerospace and defense technology sector, understanding the unique design challenges and requirements for government-facing products.

• Networking: Building relationships with experienced professionals in design, engineering, and product management at a leading technology company.

• Potential for Future Roles: Successful interns may be considered for future internship opportunities or entry-level positions at Viasat, based on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the internship within a broader career context, highlighting how the role contributes to professional development and potential future opportunities, linking design work to operational efficiency for government clients.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site work is the primary arrangement for this internship. Viasat embraces a flexible work environment, but interns are expected to be physically present at the Viasat office location in College Station, Texas.

Office Location(s): 8382 Jones Road, College Station, Texas, 77845. This location serves as the primary work site for the duration of the internship.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a collaborative environment, with opportunities to interact with fellow interns, mentors, and team members.

• Access to necessary design software and hardware will be provided.

• The culture is expected to be professional, with a focus on innovation and problem-solving within the context of government technology solutions.

• Expect a structured environment that balances creative design work with the rigorous demands of the defense industry.

Work Schedule: A consistent 40-hour work week is required, aligning with the specified internship cohort dates. While the core work is on-site, Viasat's flexible approach might mean occasional remote work options are discussed, but the default and expectation is on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Details about the work environment are inferred from the "on-site" requirement and the company's industry. The focus is on the practical aspects of the intern's daily experience and the professional setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the internship requirements.

• Technical/Design Interview: Likely involves a discussion about UI/UX principles, design process, and a review of portfolio projects. Candidates may be asked to walk through their design thinking on specific projects.

• Behavioral Interview: Assessment of communication, collaboration, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit with Viasat's values. Questions may focus on how the candidate handles feedback and works in a team.

• Final Interview/Offer: May involve meeting with the hiring manager or a team lead for a final assessment and discussion of role details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong projects that best showcase your UI/UX skills, design process, and problem-solving abilities. Prioritize projects relevant to web applications or complex system interfaces.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing), your design decisions, and the outcome.

• Highlight Iteration: Demonstrate how you incorporated feedback or user insights to refine your designs. This shows adaptability and a user-centric approach.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality mockups and clear explanations.

• Company Context: If possible, tailor your presentation to show an understanding of Viasat's work in government and defense technology, even if your projects are academic.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design exercises or case studies that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think critically about user experience within a given scenario.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Review common UI/UX interview questions related to design principles, tools, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for preparing an application and portfolio for a UI/UX internship, focusing on demonstrating core skills and potential, which is crucial for intern candidates.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch, Figma. Proficiency in at least one of these is expected.

• Prototyping & Collaboration: InVision, or similar tools for creating interactive prototypes and facilitating design reviews.

• Wireframing Tools: Tools like Balsamiq, Figma, or Sketch for creating low-fidelity representations of interfaces.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI Design role, but understanding the context of the platform being designed (network management, access control) is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are directly derived from the job description's "What will help you on the job" section, focusing on design software and related collaborative platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to create new and improved solutions, such as the redesigned UI for the network management platform.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with engineers, stakeholders, and users to achieve common goals.

• User-Centricity: Prioritizing the needs and experience of the end-user in all design decisions.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality design that meets the rigorous standards of government technology solutions.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and ensuring the security and reliability of designs, particularly in a government context.

Collaboration Style:

• Expected to be highly collaborative, involving active participation in team meetings, design reviews, and feedback sessions.

• Openness to constructive criticism and a willingness to share ideas and learn from others.

• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and meet functional requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Company values are inferred from the industry and the emphasis on collaboration and user needs within the role description. This helps candidates understand the expected work environment and professional conduct.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Understanding Complex Systems: Grasping the intricacies of network management, access control, and configuration services to design an intuitive interface.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Designing solutions that are both user-friendly and feasible within Viasat's technical architecture and government requirements.

• Iterative Design Under Time Constraints: Effectively incorporating feedback and making design adjustments within the internship timeline.

• Adapting to a New Environment: Quickly learning Viasat's tools, processes, and culture as an intern.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Practical Design Experience: Applying theoretical knowledge in a real-world project with tangible outcomes.

• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from experienced UI/UX professionals and engineers.

• Industry Insight: Gaining exposure to the defense and aerospace technology sector and its unique design considerations.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Developing strong portfolio pieces that demonstrate professional design capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Potential challenges and growth opportunities are identified based on the nature of an internship role, the complexity of the project, and the industry context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your design process for creating a new UI from scratch. How do you approach understanding user needs?" (Focus on your methodology, research, and ideation steps.)

• "Walk me through a challenging design project in your portfolio. What was the problem, your solution, and what did you learn?" (Prepare a specific case study that highlights problem-solving and iterative design.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs, especially if you disagree?" (Emphasize your openness to feedback and collaborative approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Viasat and this specific internship role?" (Research Viasat's mission, projects, and culture.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our team's goals?" (Connect your skills and enthusiasm to the internship's objectives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Begin with the 'Why': Clearly state the problem your design aims to solve and the target user.

• Detail Your Process: Walk through your steps—research, brainstorming, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and iteration. Use visuals to support each stage.

• Explain Your Decisions: Justify your design choices with user-centered reasoning or data.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, discuss the potential impact of your design or any results from user testing.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Keep your presentation focused and allow time for questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to a UI/UX internship, focusing on demonstrating design thinking, process, and collaborative skills, alongside company-specific research.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Design Intern position:

• Submit your application through the Viasat careers portal at https://careers.viasat.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcasing your best UI/UX projects. Tailor your case studies to highlight your design process, problem-solving skills, and any experience with complex systems or user research.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your relevant coursework, design tools proficiency, and any academic or personal projects that demonstrate your UI/UX capabilities. Highlight your expected graduation date.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and rationale. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and answer behavioral questions about collaboration and feedback.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Viasat's mission, products (especially in the government sector), and company culture to articulate your interest and fit effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.