--- title: 'Harness Manufacturing Engineer – LEO Satellite Applications at AST SpaceMobile' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/harness-manufacturing-engineer-leo-satellite-applications-ast-spacemobile-6xwmbtdqj4v8' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Harness Manufacturing Engineer – LEO Satellite Applications at AST SpaceMobile - **Company:** AST SpaceMobile - **Location:** Midland Texas, United States - **Posted:** 2025-09-05 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4601317005 ## 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 Summary The Harness Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and supporting the production of electrical harnesses and cable assemblies for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite platforms. This role ensures harnesses are designed, manufactured, and tested to meet aerospace standards and mission requirements, while improving quality, repeatability, and production efficiency. ## Key Responsibilities - Manufacturing Engineering Support: - Develop and maintain harness assembly processes, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation (routers, travelers, and assembly drawings). - Support design-to-production handoffs by reviewing harness design schematics and layouts for manufacturability and reliability. - Define and select tooling, equipment, and materials required for harness production. - Drive improvements in harness routing, termination, and installation practices. - Production Oversight: - Provide on-the-floor support to manufacturing technicians during harness assembly, integration, and troubleshooting. - Establish and optimize assembly sequences and jigs to ensure repeatable, high-quality harness fabrication. - Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions for nonconformances. - Testing and Quality Assurance: - Develop and implement testing protocols using automated harness testers (e.g., CIRRIS or similar systems). - Ensure all assemblies comply with IPC/WHMA-A-620 and NASA/ESA workmanship standards. - Review and approve first article inspections (FAIs) and ensure compliance with aerospace quality requirements. - Process Improvement & Documentation: - Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase production efficiency and reduce cost. - Maintain configuration management of harness designs, tooling, and process documentation. - Collaborate with design engineers, quality teams, and supply chain to ensure smooth production flow. ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field; or equivalent technical experience. - 3+ years of experience in harness or cable assembly manufacturing for aerospace, defense, or satellite applications. - Strong understanding of harness design principles, electrical schematics, and 3D CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks). - Familiarity with industry standards: IPC/WHMA-A-620, ECSS-Q-ST-70, NASA-STD-8739.4. - Hands-on experience with crimping, soldering, wire dressing, and connectorization. - Experience with automated harness testers (CIRRIS, DIT-MCO, etc.). - Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced, high-reliability production environment. ## Preferred Skills - Experience in satellite or spacecraft harness design and integration. - Knowledge of harness routing and design in 3D modeling software. - Understanding of aerospace material selection (wires, connectors, backshells, shielding, and sleeving). - Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification. 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 - [Launch Campaign Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/launch-campaign-technical-program-manager-ast-spacemobile-united-states-h6crfhnqmhr0) — United States - [Telco SRE Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/telco-sre-engineer-ast-spacemobile-riga-cecfzawvgtfx) — Riga, Latvia - [HW Testing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/hw-testing-engineer-ast-spacemobile-barcelona-3yhyhs40mvnz) — Barcelona, Spain - [Production Applications Engineer (TULIP)](https://feeny.ai/job/production-applications-engineer-tulip-ast-spacemobile-barcelona-t42ez1nqkgqd) — Barcelona, Spain - [Core Network Engineer, 3GPP Wireless](https://feeny.ai/job/core-network-engineer-3gpp-wireless-ast-spacemobile-united-states-mmxza83cnb7e) — United States - [Director, Intelligence Community Strategy & Engagement](https://feeny.ai/job/director-intelligence-community-strategy-engagement-ast-spacemobile-lanham-d3kgbxs5s7w2) — Lanham Maryland, United States - [Composites Manufacturing Specialist Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/composites-manufacturing-specialist-engineer-ast-spacemobile-barcelona-2ysjvy5gyvf6) — Barcelona, Spain - [CNC Technician - Shift 2](https://feeny.ai/job/cnc-technician-shift-2-ast-spacemobile-barcelona-jhnskbj9eydn) — Barcelona, Spain - [RF Validation Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/rf-validation-intern-ast-spacemobile-hyderabad-vznca4myq8bd) — Hyderabad, India - [*Test Technician, Electrical and Electronics](https://feeny.ai/job/test-technician-electrical-and-electronics-ast-spacemobile-midland-texas-an7rf98vxfdv) — Midland Texas, United States