---
title: 'Systems Engineer – Defense at AST SpaceMobile'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/systems-engineer-defense-ast-spacemobile-lanham-cvnx1e13cd2g'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-31'
---

# Systems Engineer – Defense at AST SpaceMobile

- **Company:** AST SpaceMobile
- **Location:** Lanham, MD
- **Posted:** 2026-07-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-31
- **Apply:** https://ast-science.com/company/careers/?gh_jid=4717289005

## 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 Systems Engineer to support the development and implementation of advanced communications and technology solutions for government and defense-related programs. In this role, you will support systems engineering activities across the full program lifecycle, including requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical planning. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate complex mission needs into scalable system solutions while supporting business growth and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate has experience supporting defense, space, telecommunications, or other mission-critical programs and possesses a strong understanding of systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system integration.

## Key Responsibilities

- Support the development and maintenance of system-level technical budgets, including power, data, performance, and other engineering metrics.
- Define, analyze, document, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability.
- Support requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities throughout the program lifecycle.
- Develop and maintain systems engineering artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), interface documentation, verification plans, and traceability matrices.
- Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support architecture and design decisions.
- Collaborate with hardware, software, communications, and subsystem engineering teams to ensure technical alignment and integration.
- Support system-level design reviews and technical presentations, including preparation of supporting documentation.
- Coordinate with technical leads and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and consolidate engineering data.
- Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities.
- Interface with customers, program leadership, and external partners to support technical planning and program execution.
- Contribute to proposal development, technical documentation, and solution planning activities for new business opportunities.
- Support capability development, architecture definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities.
- Provide systems engineering support across all phases of development and operational readiness activities.

## Qualifications

Education

- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Advanced degree preferred.

## Experience

- A minimum of 5 years of systems engineering experience within aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or other complex technical environments.
- Experience supporting government, defense, space, or mission-critical programs.
- Experience with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system modeling practices.
- Experience supporting system integration, verification, and validation activities.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with communications, RF, wireless, satellite, or space-based systems.
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
- Experience with requirements management, system modeling, and verification tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).
- Experience performing system trade studies, performance analysis, and technical risk assessments.
- Knowledge of RF performance analysis, communications systems, or network architectures.
- Experience supporting command and control, intelligence, surveillance, communications, or other mission-focused applications.
- Experience supporting proposal development and technical solution planning.
- Prior experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or commercial space programs.
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Soft Skills

- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional and multidisciplinary environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
- Meticulous attention to detail to ensure the accuracy of technical documentation and project deliverables.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a structured approach to decision-making.
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
- Ability to coordinate large teams and drive alignment across stakeholders.

Technology Stack

- Requirements management and systems engineering tools (Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and system modeling tools.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
- Engineering analysis and simulation tools (MATLAB, Simulink, STK, or equivalent).
- Requirements traceability, verification, and configuration management tools.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to review technical documentation, diagrams, engineering drawings, and system data.
- Ability to participate in meetings, presentations, and collaborative engineering reviews.
- Ability to travel up to 25% as required for customer meetings, testing activities, training, or program support.
- May occasionally work in laboratory, integration, testing, or operational environments.

Additional Requirements

- Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance required.
- U.S. citizenship required due to government contract requirements.

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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