---
title: 'Program Director, Radar Programs at AST SpaceMobile'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/program-director-radar-programs-ast-spacemobile-lanham-xq6vqh589z6z'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-31'
---

# Program Director, Radar Programs at AST SpaceMobile

- **Company:** AST SpaceMobile
- **Location:** Lanham, MD
- **Posted:** 2026-09-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-31
- **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4721377005

## 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 Program Director to lead execution of a mission-critical program supporting a U.S. Government customer’s national security objective. The program is built around a dedicated, minimally modified derivative of AST's commercial satellite constellation, and encompasses the full lifecycle — satellite delivery, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit mission operations — under a firm-fixed-price, milestone-based contract structure.

Serving as the single point of accountability for the program, the Director will own the customer relationship and be responsible for overall programmatic execution, including schedule and risk management, while coordinating closely with cross-functional teams across Systems Engineering, Space Segment, Launch, Ground Segment, and Mission Operations. This is a high-visibility leadership position reporting directly to the Director of Program Management, with the opportunity to shape and influence how AST SpaceMobile Defense builds out its program management function.

Key Responsibilities:

- Serve as AST's primary program lead and customer point of contact, representing AST in program reviews, milestone negotiations, and day-to-day government customer engagement.
- Maintain an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and provide monthly programmatic status reporting covering technical progress, financial status, schedule status, and risk.
- Build and maintain a program risk registry (technical and programmatic) and drive mitigation actions across engineering, operations, and supply chain teams.
- Lead in-person program reviews, kickoff meetings, and periodic status briefings with the government customer, primarily in the Washington, D.C. area.
- Ensure compliance with program cost/schedule reporting requirements and program security and Operations Security (OPSEC) obligations
- Directly supervise and mentor program management staff supporting the program.
- Coordinate cross-functionally across Systems Engineering, Space Segment, Launch Segment, Ground Segment, and Mission Operations to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery against contract milestones.
- Support proposal development, rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) estimating for follow-on/expansion scope, and capture activities to grow the program.
- Stand up and mature PMO processes, tools, and standards for the defense subsidiary's growing program portfolio.

## Qualifications

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, business, or a related technical field required
- Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

- A minimum of 12 years of program management experience in the aerospace/defense industry, including direct experience managing firm-fixed-price, milestone-based U.S. Government or prime/subcontract programs.
- Experience managing satellite or space systems programs strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

- PMP certification
- Experience with DoD cost and schedule reporting frameworks
- Experience with satellite communications, optical inter-satellite links, or SATCOM ground segment programs
- Experience standing up or scaling a PMO within a growing defense-tech organization

Soft Skills:

- Strong executive presence and stakeholder management skills
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams under schedule and cost pressure
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy of program documentation and deliverables.

Technology Stack:

- MS Project or equivalent scheduling tools
- JIRA
- Microsoft Office Suite
- ERP/cost systems (e.g., Costpoint or NetSuite)

Security Clearance:

Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess (or be able to obtain and maintain) an active U.S. Security Clearance.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to travel periodically (estimated quarterly, with additional travel around key program milestones) to the Washington, D.C. area and other program locations.

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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