Satellite/Payload Operations Engineer at AST SpaceMobile

<div class="content-intro"><p>AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.</p></div><h2 data-start="127" data-end="149"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Position Overview</span></h2> <p data-start="150" data-end="497"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are seeking a Payload Operations Engineer responsible for operating AST satellite payload subsystems to support constellation service and in-orbit testing. This is primarily a day-staff shift position at the AST Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs), with occasional weekend, holiday, and on-call support to provide 24x7 payload operations.</span></p> <h2 data-start="499" data-end="524"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Key Responsibilities</span></h2> <p data-start="525" data-end="562"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="525" data-end="560">Payload Operations &amp; Monitoring</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="563" data-end="1089"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="563" data-end="678"> <p data-start="565" data-end="678"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Operate payload tools to create configuration items required for in-orbit testing (IOT) and commercial service.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="679" data-end="772"> <p data-start="681" data-end="772"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Monitor service/test automation and analyze results through telemetry and log evaluation.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="773" data-end="863"> <p data-start="775" data-end="863"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Coordinate payload system configuration changes to maintain commercial service levels.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="864" data-end="994"> <p data-start="866" data-end="994"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Monitor and process payload subsystem telemetry data to ensure subsystem health, including power, thermal, and RF performance.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="995" data-end="1089"> <p data-start="997" data-end="1089"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maintain situational awareness of satellite, payload, and ground configuration and status.</span></p> </li> </ul> <p data-start="1091" data-end="1120"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="1091" data-end="1118">Tool &amp; Software Support</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="1121" data-end="1387"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1121" data-end="1203"> <p data-start="1123" data-end="1203"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Support development of payload operations tools for efficient automated tasks.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1204" data-end="1289"> <p data-start="1206" data-end="1289"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Work with tool developers for functionality updates and payload software updates.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1290" data-end="1332"> <p data-start="1292" data-end="1332"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Operate SOC operations software tools.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1333" data-end="1387"> <p data-start="1335" data-end="1387"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Support development of automated operations tools.</span></p> </li> </ul> <p data-start="1389" data-end="1425"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="1389" data-end="1423">Coordination &amp; Troubleshooting</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="1426" data-end="1888"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1426" data-end="1550"> <p data-start="1428" data-end="1550"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Coordinate troubleshooting with SOC, Network Operations Center (NOC), and subsystem engineers to resolve service issues.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1551" data-end="1601"> <p data-start="1553" data-end="1601"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Participate in daily shift handover briefings.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1602" data-end="1699"> <p data-start="1604" data-end="1699"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Support mission product development including procedure development, testing, and validation.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1700" data-end="1790"> <p data-start="1702" data-end="1790"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Support system readiness, planning, and preparation for satellite in-orbit milestones.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1791" data-end="1888"> <p data-start="1793" data-end="1888"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Attend required training sessions, simulations, rehearsals, conferences, and program reviews.</span></p> </li> </ul> <h2 data-start="1890" data-end="1909"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Qualifications</span></h2> <p data-start="1911" data-end="1927"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="1911" data-end="1925">Education:</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="1928" data-end="2021"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1928" data-end="2021"> <p data-start="1930" data-end="2021"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM field).</span></p> </li> </ul> <p data-start="2023" data-end="2040"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="2023" data-end="2038">Experience:</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="2041" data-end="2319"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2041" data-end="2147"> <p data-start="2043" data-end="2147"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A minimum of 0–2 years (or equivalent experience); Master’s degree or additional experience preferred.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2148" data-end="2237"> <p data-start="2150" data-end="2237"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Technical understanding of satellite system architecture and subsystem functionality.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2238" data-end="2319"> <p data-start="2240" data-end="2319"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Demonstrated ability to work independently in an evolving system environment.</span></p> </li> </ul> <p data-start="2321" data-end="2352"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="2321" data-end="2350">Preferred Qualifications:</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="2353" data-end="2742"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2353" data-end="2414"> <p data-start="2355" data-end="2414"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Experience working with satellite communication payloads.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2415" data-end="2464"> <p data-start="2417" data-end="2464"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Multi-satellite LEO constellation experience.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2465" data-end="2538"> <p data-start="2467" data-end="2538"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Demonstrated ability to drive requirements for concepts of operation.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2539" data-end="2646"> <p data-start="2541" data-end="2646"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Familiarity with version control software (preferably Git) and Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence).</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2647" data-end="2742"> <p data-start="2649" data-end="2742"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Programming experience in at least one modern language such as Java, Python, Matlab, or C#.</span></p> </li> </ul> <p data-start="2744" data-end="2762"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="2744" data-end="2760">Soft Skills:</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="2763" data-end="2925"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2763" data-end="2815"> <p data-start="2765" data-end="2815"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Excellent oral and written communication skills.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2816" data-end="2863"> <p data-start="2818" data-end="2863"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">High level of problem-solving capabilities.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2864" data-end="2925"> <p data-start="2866" data-end="2925"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ability to adapt to rapidly evolving system requirements.</span></p> </li> </ul> <p data-start="2927" data-end="2950"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="2927" data-end="2948">Technology Stack:</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="2951" data-end="3145"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2951" data-end="2985"> <p data-start="2953" data-end="2985"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">SOC operations software tools.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2986" data-end="3038"> <p data-start="2988" data-end="3038"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Payload automation and telemetry analysis tools.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="3039" data-end="3145"> <p data-start="3041" data-end="3145"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Engineering analysis tools, version control systems, programming languages (Python, Java, Matlab, C#).</span></p> </li> </ul> <p data-start="3147" data-end="3175"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="3147" data-end="3173">Physical Requirements:</strong></span></p> <ul data-start="3176" data-end="3420"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="3176" data-end="3229"> <p data-start="3178" data-end="3229"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ability to work in an office and SOC environment.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="3230" data-end="3264"> <p data-start="3232" data-end="3264"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Legally able to work in Spain.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="3265" data-end="3368"> <p data-start="3267" data-end="3368"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ability to participate in shift work, including occasional weekends, holidays, and on-call periods.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="3369" data-end="3420"> <p data-start="3371" data-end="3420"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ability to use a computer for extended periods.</span></p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands</em><em>.</em>&nbsp;</p><div class="content-conclusion"><p>AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.</p></div>