---
title: 'GNC Test Engineer at AST SpaceMobile'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/gnc-test-engineer-ast-spacemobile-hyderabad-dvp38n7ck3yp'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# GNC Test Engineer at AST SpaceMobile

- **Company:** AST SpaceMobile
- **Location:** Hyderabad, India
- **Posted:** 2026-06-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4704625005

## 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

The System \ SW Test team at AST SpaceMobile is responsible for verifying and validating the embedded software that runs aboard all spacecraft in the AST fleet. We are seeking a junior Test Software Engineer with AOCS (Attitude & Orbit Control System) domain knowledge to join our India-based System \ SW Testing team and contribute to the verification and validation of flight software that implements attitude and orbit control functions.

In this role, you will develop and maintain automated FSW (Flight Software) test frameworks and your controls domain background will allow you to write meaningful tests, interpret results in physical terms, and work effectively with both the FSW and AOCS engineering teams.

## Key Responsibilities

- Design, develop, and maintain automated test scripts and frameworks in Python and MATLAB
- Implement and execute unit, integration, and software-in-the-loop (SIL) tests for AOCS algorithms including attitude control laws, momentum management, and thruster firing logic
- Review and debug C++ flight software modules to identify and trace defects revealed by test execution or on-orbit telemetry analysis related to attitude sensors
- Maintain and improve test infrastructure, including simulation environments, truth models, and automated reporting pipelines.
- Document test results, anomaly reports, and lessons learned in Jira and internal knowledge-management systems.
- Serve as a bridge between the FSW and AOCS teams, translating AOCS domain requirements into testable software acceptance criteria and communicating test findings in terms meaningful to both teams.
- Coordinate with US-based FSW and AOCS Flight Engineering counterparts to align on test coverage, software interface requirements, and operational procedures.
- Monitor operator compliance with AOCS test processes and support continuous improvement of ground verification methodologies.

Education:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
- Coursework in orbital mechanics, control systems, or spacecraft dynamics is strongly preferred.

Required Qualifications:

- 1–3 years of relevant experience in control systems, estimation theory, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, or simulation-driven validation.
- Some hands-on experience with Python, including scripting and data analysis
- Familiarity with MATLAB and/or Simulink sufficient to run simulations and analyze numerical results.
- Exposure to C++; ability to read and follow flight software code with guidance.
- Foundational understanding of control systems theory (e.g. closed-loop dynamics, PID controllers, or state-space concepts).
- Introductory knowledge of orbital mechanics (e.g. Keplerian orbits, reference frames, coordinate transformations)
- Awareness of attitude representations such as Euler angles, rotation matrices, or quaternions, at a conceptual level.
- Analytical mindset with attention to detail and a willingness to learn in a fast-moving engineering environment.
- Communicates clearly in written and spoken English; comfortable asking questions and collaborating with remote teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience writing automated test frameworks or continuous integration pipelines for embedded or real-time software.
- Familiarity with spacecraft sensors and actuators for attitude determination and control systems including star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, magnetorquers, or thrusters.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) test environments.
- Exposure to spacecraft telemetry tools, ground software, or mission operations environments.
- Knowledge of estimation theory
- Experience using Jira or similar issue-tracking and project-management tools.
- Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and software development workflows.
- Professional exposure to AOCS/GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control) is a plus but not required.

Soft Skills:

- Detail-oriented with strong commitment to accuracy in test documentation and results.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks across spacecraft in different operational phases.
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
- Flexible and analytical thinker, comfortable with ambiguity in early-stage test development.
- Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate effectively across time zones with US-based colleagues.

Technology Stack:

- Python
- MATLAB / Simulink
- C++
- Jira
- Git
- MS Office products

Physical Requirements:

Willing to work from office about 80% of the time.

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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