---
title: 'Director, Communications Technology at AST SpaceMobile'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-communications-technology-ast-spacemobile-lanham-maryland-90xp9fpd13zb'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Director, Communications Technology at AST SpaceMobile

- **Company:** AST SpaceMobile
- **Location:** Lanham Maryland, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-08-26
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4727673005

## Job description

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.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Director of Communications Technology to lead the technical direction of our satellite communications systems supporting defense and government customers. This role owns the technical strategy for ground gateways, direct to device cellular and space-based communications network infrastructure, drives architecture and trade study efforts, and serves as a senior technical voice with customers, partners, and internal leadership. The ideal candidate combines expert-level cellular and satellite communications systems knowledge with proven experience building and mentoring high-performing engineering teams. The candidate should understand mission requirements and translate this to architectures, CONOPS, and technical solutions. The candidate must be comfortable translating complex technical tradeoffs into clear guidance for both engineers and decision-makers.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the architecture and design of satellite gateway systems and direct-to-device cellular and space-based network infrastructure supporting defense communications missions, with special knowledge of cellular infrastructure including baseband units, core networks, and satellite gateways.
- Direct trade studies to evaluate satellite, gateway, and handset architecture options, technology choices, and system tradeoffs against mission requirements, cost, schedule, and risk.
- Provide expert-level RF analysis and guidance across link budgets, spectrum utilization, interference, and propagation considerations.
- Own systems engineering rigor across requirements definition, functional allocation, verification, and integration for communications subsystems.
- Drive CONOPS (Concept of Operations) development in partnership with mission stakeholders to ensure technical solutions align with operational needs.
- Support mission development activities, translating customer mission objectives into technical requirements and system concepts.
- Build, lead, and grow a team of communications and RF engineers, fostering technical excellence and professional development.
- Mentor engineers at varying experience levels, cultivating technical judgment, ownership, and career growth.
- Establish engineering best practices, review processes, and technical standards across the communications technology discipline.
- Serve as a primary technical point of contact with government and defense customers, representing AST SpaceMobile Defense's technical capabilities and roadmap.
- Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including customers, program leadership, and executive stakeholders.
- Support proposal development, technical reviews, and customer down-selects with well-reasoned architecture and trade study documentation.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with program management, business development, and the broader AST SpaceMobile engineering organization.

## Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.

Experience:

- 10+ years of experience in communications development and technology.
- Strong background in satellite gateway systems and architectures.
- Strong background in cellular systems and network infrastructure (RAN, core network, and related standards).
- Demonstrated experience leading architecture development and trade studies for complex communications systems.
- Expert-level RF analysis skills (link budgets, spectrum/interference analysis, antenna and propagation considerations).
- Proven systems engineering experience across the full lifecycle (requirements, design, integration, verification).
- Experience developing CONOPS and supporting mission development for government or defense customers.
- Track record of building, leading, and mentoring engineering teams.
- Expert-level experience in communications engineering broadly, with the credibility to serve as a senior technical authority.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for Direct-to-Device (D2D) architectures.
- Prior experience supporting DoD, intelligence community, or other government/defense customers.
- Familiarity with space-based communications, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), or hybrid satellite-cellular systems.
- Active or ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.

Soft Skills:

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage effectively with customers, partners, and senior leadership.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive stakeholders.
- Strong mentorship and team-building orientation, cultivating technical judgment, ownership, and career growth in engineers at all levels.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, working effectively with program management, business development, and the broader engineering organization.

Technology Stack:

- Satellite gateway systems and architectures.
- Cellular network infrastructure, including baseband units, RAN, and core networks.
- RF link-budget, spectrum/interference, and propagation analysis tools.
- Systems engineering and requirements management tooling for full-lifecycle communications subsystem development.
- CONOPS development and mission-analysis frameworks.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to use a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to work in a standard office environment, with occasional exposure to lab or secure facility environments as required for customer engagements.
- Ability to travel to support customer engagements, technical reviews, and program activities as needed.

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. 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.

## About AST SpaceMobile

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard, unmodified smartphones.
- **Entity Type**: Public (Nasdaq: ASTS)
- **Headquarters**: Midland, Texas, USA
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Abel Avellan

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Space-based telecommunications / Satellite broadband
- **Target customers**: B2B (mobile network operators), B2C (indirectly through MNOs), and government/defense agencies
- **Mission**: To eliminate connectivity gaps faced by today’s nearly six billion mobile subscribers and bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected using a space-based cellular network.

## Products & Services
- **[SpaceMobile Network]**: A space-based cellular broadband network that delivers 4G/5G connectivity directly to standard smartphones without any hardware modifications, apps, or software updates.
- **[BlueBird Satellites]**: The company’s commercial satellite constellation, designed to provide full broadband coverage globally. BlueBird satellites are among the largest commercial communications arrays in low Earth orbit.
- **[BlueWalker 3]**: The prototype satellite used to demonstrate world-first voice, 5G, and video calls from space to ordinary phones.
- **[Government & Defense Solutions]**: Tailored connectivity for tactical and public safety applications (e.g., FirstNet tests, government contracts).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Market capitalization exceeded $8 billion as of August 2024 (stock price ~$38.60). More recent figures are not publicly available but the company has raised over $2 billion as of Q2 2025.
- **Key Metric (Total Funding)**: Over $2 billion raised (debt and equity) as of Q2 2025.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Vodafone, Rakuten, American Tower, Samsung Next, Cisneros, Google (product partnership), AT&T, Verizon, FirstNet Authority.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Partnerships with nearly 60 mobile network operators covering ~3 billion combined subscribers.
  - Successfully completed first VoLTE voice calls, video calls, and 5G data connections using standard smartphones via satellite.
  - First public safety tests on FirstNet (Jan 2024) and first activation for government defense use cases (June 2025).
  - Commercial contract with Vodafone through 2034 for Europe and Africa.
  - 578 employees as of 2024; expanding manufacturing and office footprint globally.

## Competitive Advantages
- **First-mover**: Only company offering direct-to-smartphone satellite broadband with no specialized hardware or software required.
- **Patent Moat**: Over 3,800 patents and pending claims protecting proprietary technology.
- **MNO Integration**: Deep partnerships with major global operators enable seamless integration with existing terrestrial networks.
- **Satellite Scale**: BlueBird satellites feature large phased-array antennas (BlueWalker 3 array is 693 sq ft), providing a field of view over 300,000 sq miles.

## Strategic Focus
- **Constellation Deployment**: Rapidly launching and operationalizing the BlueBird satellite fleet to start generating significant commercial revenue.
- **Global Coverage Expansion**: Targeting full service across multiple continents, with a focus on remote and underserved regions.
- **Government & Defense**: Broadening contracts for secure, tactical connectivity.
- **Technology Advancement**: Continued R&D on next-generation satellite capabilities and network optimization.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Fast-growing company with a startup mindset; employees are encouraged to wear many hats and tackle meaningful challenges.
- **Global Presence**: Offices in Midland (TX), Homestead (FL), Miami (FL), Lanham (MD), Tel Aviv, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Hyderabad, and other locations.
- **Impact**: Opportunity to work on a historic transformation in global connectivity, directly connecting billions of people.
- **Perks & Environment**: Nearly 500,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office facilities; emphasis on innovation, autonomy, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- **Career Growth**: Open positions listed on Greenhouse; values proactive, passionate innovators.

## Sources
1. [AST SpaceMobile Official Website](https://ast-science.com)
2. [AST SpaceMobile Company Page](https://ast-science.com/company/)
3. [AST SpaceMobile Careers Page](https://ast-science.com/company/careers/)
4. [AST SpaceMobile Investor Relations](https://investors.ast-science.com/)
5. [Wikipedia – AST SpaceMobile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AST_SpaceMobile)

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