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AST SpaceMobile is building the first global cellular broadband network in space, designed to operate directly with standard mobile devices for both commercial and government applications. The company aims to eliminate connectivity gaps for five billion mobile subscribers and bring broadband to the unconnected.
You will serve as the technical authority for systems engineering across multiple space programs, owning system architecture and technical direction from concept through verification, validation, launch, and on-orbit operations. This is a senior technical leadership role with system-level authority, not a people-management position, but with significant mentoring and organizational influence.
Key responsibilities include:
- Define and own system architectures and mission concepts, leading trade studies and defending key technical decisions in response to customer and internal needs
- Establish top-level system requirements and govern their allocation, flow-down, and interface control across subsystems, suppliers, and organizations
- Own technical budgets and margin philosophy (mass, power, link, thermal, schedule) at program and constellation level, ensuring rigorous tracking across subsystems
- Drive system-level integration across engineering disciplines (RF, software, mechanical, electrical, GNC, operations) and lead resolution of complex cross-cutting technical issues and anomalies
- Provide technical leadership for proposal and business development efforts, including solution architecture, basis-of-estimate development, and cost/schedule inputs
- Represent AST in technical engagements with customers and government partners
- Serve as senior technical lead for major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and technical interchange meetings, presenting to executive leadership, customers, and independent review boards
- Lead technical risk management: identify and quantify top program and technical risks, drive mitigation, and advise leadership on risk-informed decisions
- Define and evolve systems engineering processes, standards, and practices, driving adoption across the organization
- Mentor and develop SE leads and engineers, serve as technical coach across the department, and contribute to hiring and talent growth
The ideal candidate brings a record of leading systems engineering on complex space or comparable programs from concept through launch and operations, is trusted by executives, customers, and engineers alike, and thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Physical requirements include ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods, with occasional travel to other AST facilities or customer/government sites (up to 20%).
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field required; Master's degree or PhD strongly preferred
- Minimum 12 years of systems engineering experience
- At least 5 years serving as SE Lead, Chief Engineer, or equivalent on a program of record or flight program
- End-to-end lifecycle experience on at least one program through launch and on-orbit operations
- Deep knowledge of space systems architecture, orbital mechanics, and satellite design
- Proficiency in systems engineering tools and processes (DOORS, Teamcenter, or equivalent)
- Experience with RF systems, link budgets, and communications architecture
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent modeling/simulation tools
- Familiarity with Confluence and Jira for program tracking and collaboration
- STK (Systems Tool Kit) for mission analysis preferred
