--- title: 'Senior Satellite Mechanical Engineer at AST SpaceMobile' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-satellite-mechanical-engineer-ast-spacemobile-midland-0e3v7dj5jaxa' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-07' --- # Senior Satellite Mechanical Engineer at AST SpaceMobile - **Company:** AST SpaceMobile - **Location:** Midland, TX - **Posted:** 2025-11-26 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07 - **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4633819005 ## 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 Mechanical Engineer to support satellite mechanical systems and payload development across systems engineering, mechanical design, structural analysis, assembly, integration, and test activities. This role requires strong technical expertise, creativity, and the ability to challenge traditional approaches. The engineer will collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, lead small groups when needed, and manage assignments with a high degree of autonomy to advance spacecraft mechanical architecture, performance, and manufacturability. ## Key Responsibilities - Perform spacecraft mechanical system and payload layout studies to optimize architecture for simplicity, performance, mass, and cost. - Develop and maintain mechanical and structural design documentation at the system and equipment level, including manufacturing drawings, interface control drawings (ICDs), assembly/process documentation, and test plans. - Prepare and present technical content for design reviews, readiness reviews, and engineering checkpoints. - Troubleshoot mechanical anomalies and failures; conduct root-cause analyses and implement corrective actions. - Collaborate closely with manufacturing and production teams to ensure effective transfer of designs, processes, and technical information. - Evaluate, promote, and integrate new technologies, methods, and processes to improve mechanical design and production efficiency. - Track drawing release progress to meet program schedules and business objectives. ## Qualifications Education: Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline. Experience: A minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in mechanical design, integration, and testing of spacecraft and spacecraft components. ## Preferred Qualifications - Experience with launch vehicle integration. - Familiarity with Autodesk Inventor (preferred), CATIA, SolidWorks, or CREO. - Demonstrated ability to design spacecraft assemblies for launch and on-orbit environments, including design for manufacturability. Soft Skills - Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - High attention to detail to ensure accuracy in technical documentation and engineering deliverables. - Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Technology Stack - CAD tools: Autodesk Inventor (preferred), CATIA, SolidWorks, CREO. - Standard engineering analysis and documentation tools. Physical Requirements - Ability to work in a standard office environment and operate a computer for extended periods. - Occasional hands-on work in assembly, integration, and testing environments. 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 - [Director of Network Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-network-operations-ast-spacemobile-dallas-5r5xk5h5edrs) — Dallas, TX - [Director, Incident Management](https://feeny.ai/job/director-incident-management-ast-spacemobile-dallas-r51mv31zcvrz) — Dallas, TX - [CAD/PLM Admin](https://feeny.ai/job/cad-plm-admin-ast-spacemobile-barcelona-x0ps38jxmarg) — Barcelona, Spain - [Material Handler, 1st shift, Site 3](https://feeny.ai/job/material-handler-1st-shift-site-3-ast-spacemobile-midland-z29s78bnqq4k) — Midland, TX - [Custodian 4th Shift, Site 4](https://feeny.ai/job/custodian-4th-shift-site-4-ast-spacemobile-midland-ffwmhg87bqrm) — Midland, TX - [Custodian, 3rd Shift, Site 4](https://feeny.ai/job/custodian-3rd-shift-site-4-ast-spacemobile-midland-167h87t2yhxh) — Midland, TX - [Custodian, 3rd Shift, Site 2](https://feeny.ai/job/custodian-3rd-shift-site-2-ast-spacemobile-midland-4ebp0jkp04dr) — Midland, TX - [Custodian, 2nd Shift, Site 4](https://feeny.ai/job/custodian-2nd-shift-site-4-ast-spacemobile-midland-5hknwahszydw) — Midland, TX - [Production Control Associate, 4th Shift, Site 2](https://feeny.ai/job/production-control-associate-4th-shift-site-2-ast-spacemobile-midland-y1xkxvw06xy4) — Midland, TX - [Quality Inspector I, 1st Shift, Site 1](https://feeny.ai/job/quality-inspector-i-1st-shift-site-1-ast-spacemobile-midland-6942vyyf56vv) — Midland, TX