--- title: 'Ground Software Engineer (Senior) at AST SpaceMobile' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/ground-software-engineer-senior-ast-spacemobile-lanham-j1qgxz2jetgy' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-31' --- # Ground Software Engineer (Senior) at AST SpaceMobile - **Company:** AST SpaceMobile - **Location:** Lanham, MD - **Posted:** 2026-07-02 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-31 - **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4711081005 ## Job description AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight. Position Overview We are seeking a Senior Ground Software Engineer with deep full‑stack development experience to help design, build, and maintain software and infrastructure that supports mission‑critical ground systems and operations. This role plays a key part in developing reliable, scalable systems used for monitoring, communication, and control of space‑based assets. The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor and technical leader who thrives in complex, highly regulated environments, takes ownership of system design decisions, and proactively drives improvements through automation and best practices. This is a hybrid, U.S.-based role with occasional travel. ## Key Responsibilities - Design, develop, and maintain full‑stack software applications supporting ground and mission operations - Architect and support networked systems used for secure communication between distributed systems - Debug, troubleshoot, and resolve issues across application, infrastructure, and networking layers - Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams to identify gaps and improve operational workflows through automation - Contribute to system architecture decisions and lead development efforts for new tools and platforms - Serve as a technical leader within the ground software team while remaining hands‑on as an individual contributor - Provide technical guidance, code reviews, and uphold industry best practices across software and DevOps processes ## Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. ## Experience A minimum of 8–10 years of professional experience in software engineering or application development. ## Preferred Qualifications - Experience building systems within regulated or compliance‑driven environments - Advanced experience implementing DevOps practices in complex production environments - Experience developing platform‑agnostic applications (web and mobile) - Strong front‑end design and development expertise - Familiarity with modern UI/UX design and prototyping tools - Experience with scripting and automation across multiple operating systems - Exposure to formal security or compliance frameworks commonly used in enterprise or government‑adjacent settings Soft Skills - Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across distributed teams - Proven ability to lead initiatives while remaining a hands‑on technical contributor - Excellent written and verbal communication skills - High level of ownership, initiative, and self‑direction - Meticulous attention to detail to ensure reliability and accuracy in mission‑critical systems Technology Stack - Programming languages such as Python, Java, C/C++, Go, or similar - Full‑stack and API frameworks (e.g., Node‑based or Python‑based frameworks) - Front‑end frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue - Cloud environments (primarily AWS) - Containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker) - Relational and non‑relational databases - Version control and CI/CD tooling - Centralized logging and monitoring platforms - Linux and Windows operating systems Physical Requirements - Ability to work in a standard hybrid office environment - Prolonged periods of computer use for software design, development, and troubleshooting - Ability to participate in virtual meetings across time zones Occasional travel as required 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) ## Other roles at AST SpaceMobile - [Radiation Assurance Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/radiation-assurance-engineer-ast-spacemobile-barcelona-mwqddbmbpcaa) — Barcelona, Spain - [Data Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/data-engineer-ast-spacemobile-riga-a4106z5k9fv4) — Riga, Latvia - [Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-principal-device-validation-engineer-ast-spacemobile-dallas-e3rfdes9enr0) — Dallas, TX - [Executive Administrative Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-administrative-assistant-ast-spacemobile-miami-f4hp8kdc3hw7) — Miami, FL - [Assoc Electrical Software Test Engr Part Time](https://feeny.ai/job/assoc-electrical-software-test-engr-part-time-ast-spacemobile-lanham-5tc3ttjrbxz0) — Lanham, MD - [Principle Systems Engineering- Software](https://feeny.ai/job/principle-systems-engineering-software-ast-spacemobile-dallas-pppwznbatsef) — Dallas, TX - [Senior Director, Program Delivery](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-program-delivery-ast-spacemobile-dallas-a86x62ftrfzx) — Dallas, TX - [Director, Technical Project Delivery](https://feeny.ai/job/director-technical-project-delivery-ast-spacemobile-dallas-ck7aqrrxrjvg) — Dallas, TX - [RF Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/rf-test-engineer-ast-spacemobile-midland-vgd3xgxtw9rq) — Midland, TX - [Principal Gateway Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-gateway-engineer-ast-spacemobile-dallas-ssbaxscfm2pw) — Dallas, TX