---
title: 'Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer at AST SpaceMobile'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-principal-device-validation-engineer-ast-spacemobile-dallas-e3rfdes9enr0'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-31'
---

# Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer at AST SpaceMobile

- **Company:** AST SpaceMobile
- **Location:** Dallas, TX
- **Posted:** 2026-10-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-31
- **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4745984005

## 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 Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer to lead device readiness and validation activities for direct-to-device wireless communication services. This role is responsible for ensuring commercial mobile devices operate successfully across the network by working closely with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, and mobile network operators to validate performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive device certification efforts.

The ideal candidate combines deep mobile device and modem expertise with strong customer-facing capabilities, serving as a trusted technical advisor during device validation, field testing, onboarding, and commercial launch activities.

## Key Responsibilities

- Own device validation strategy for operator onboarding programs, including device selection, test planning, certification requirements, and compatibility tracking
- Lead laboratory and field validation efforts for commercial mobile devices, including connectivity, mobility, throughput, latency, application performance, and user experience testing
- Collaborate with chipset vendors and device manufacturers to resolve device, modem, firmware, and interoperability issues
- Serve as the primary technical lead during customer workshops, testing events, device validation activities, and technical reviews
- Define device readiness criteria, acceptance standards, test methodologies, and launch requirements
- Analyze modem logs, protocol traces, RF measurements, and performance data to identify root causes and resolve technical issues
- Manage the device defect lifecycle from identification through validation and resolution
- Maintain device compatibility matrices and certification documentation
- Develop and present technical reports, readiness assessments, executive summaries, and performance recommendations
- Partner with internal engineering teams to improve device performance, validation processes, and customer onboarding activities
- Support field trials, proof-of-concept programs, beta deployments, and commercial launch readiness activities
- Mentor technical teams on device behavior, performance characteristics, and troubleshooting methodologies

## Qualifications

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
- Master's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience:

- Minimum 12 years of experience in mobile device validation, chipset validation, device certification, wireless testing, or device-focused field engineering
- Minimum 5 years of experience serving in a senior technical lead, principal engineer, or equivalent leadership capacity
- Hands-on experience validating mobile devices, modem technologies, or wireless communication platforms
- Strong understanding of LTE technologies, signaling procedures, device connectivity, mobility management, and wireless performance analysis
- Working knowledge of 5G technologies and next-generation wireless architectures
- Proven experience working directly with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, or wireless operators to resolve technical issues
- Experience presenting technical findings and recommendations to customers, operators, and executive stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience with non-terrestrial networks, satellite communications, or direct-to-device wireless technologies
- Experience supporting commercial device certification and carrier acceptance programs
- Familiarity with IMS, VoLTE, VoNR, SIM, and eSIM technologies
- Experience with test automation and scripting using Python or similar languages
- Experience supporting international operator deployments and device certification initiatives
- Additional language skills supporting global customer engagements

Soft Skills:

- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong customer-facing presentation and relationship management skills
- Ability to communicate complex technical topics to both engineering and executive audiences
- Proven ability to influence external partners and stakeholders without direct authority
- Strong organizational and project management capabilities
- Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to technical accuracy
- Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, highly collaborative environments
- Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple customers, projects, and technical teams

Technology Stack:

- Device logging and protocol analysis tools
- Modem diagnostics and troubleshooting platforms
- Wireshark
- Drive testing and network measurement tools
- RF test equipment and over-the-air (OTA) validation systems
- Spectrum analyzers
- Channel emulators
- RF shield box systems
- LTE and 5G testing platforms
- Open5GS or comparable core network environments
- Network performance and traffic analysis tools
- Python
- Jira
- Confluence
- Data analysis and reporting tools
- Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Requirements

- Ability to work in a standard office, laboratory, and testing environment while using computers and test equipment for extended periods
- Ability to review technical documentation, test results, protocol logs, and engineering reports
- Ability to participate in customer-facing meetings, workshops, testing events, and technical reviews
- Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing analysis, validation, and troubleshooting activities
- Domestic and international travel of approximately 25–35% as required to support customer engagements, operator testing, and validation activities

## Benefits & Perks

At AST, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Company-Paid Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Company-Paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
- Career Growth and Development Opportunities

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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