RF System Integration Engineer

AST SpaceMobile • Midland, TX

16h

About The Position

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 Overview We are seeking a highly hands-on RF Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer to execute, integrate, test, and debug flight RF hardware supporting a fast-paced LEO satellite program at AST SpaceMobile. This is a hardware-centric execution role. The selected candidate will personally build, integrate, verify, troubleshoot, and support RF systems from bench validation through launch operations. You will partner directly with TT&C and GPS design leads who own system architecture and requirements, translating released designs into robust, flight-ready hardware. This is not a documentation or coordination position — it is a build, test, and fix role.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated hands-on RF experience.
• Strong practical RF experience across common TT&C frequency bands.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with: RF assemblies and coax harness fabrication Antennas and RF subsystems RF test equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzer, power meters, signal generators)
• Experience supporting AIT, environmental test campaigns, and production manufacturing.
• Comfortable operating in cleanroom, laboratory, and factory environments.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and close hardware issues under aggressive timelines.

Nice To Haves

• Direct LEO satellite RF or TT&C integration experience.
• Launch base or on-orbit support exposure.
• Experience supporting multiple flight vehicles in parallel.
• Background developing automated RF test frameworks and data systems.
• High ownership mentality with strong bias toward execution.
• Detail-oriented while maintaining schedule awareness.
• Pragmatic decision-making in ambiguous or data-limited environments.
• Collaborative across design, manufacturing, and test organizations.
• Calm and methodical under hardware anomaly pressure.

Responsibilities

• RF Assembly, Integration & Test Execution Execute integration and verification testing for TT&C and GPS flight hardware.
• Own hands-on integration and test of: Flight radios and transceivers Flight antennas RF harnessing and coaxial assemblies AIT RF racks and ground support equipment (GSE)
• Work directly from released schematics, ICDs, and mechanical interfaces.
• Verify RF performance margins, interface integrity, and system compliance through empirical hardware testing and data analysis.
• Hands-On Manufacturing & Build Support Personally drive RF hardware build, inspection, integration, and rework activities.
• Fabricate, inspect, and validate: Coaxial cable assemblies Connector terminations (SMA, TNC, N-type, etc.) Harness routing, clamping, torque application, and strain relief implementation
• Maintain active presence on the manufacturing floor during hardware builds.
• Partner with manufacturing engineers and technicians to ensure workmanship standards.
• Identify and arrest integration escapes, workmanship defects, and latent hardware risks before propagation.
• AIT, Test, Debug & Automation Design, assemble, and sustain AIT RF racks and associated test infrastructure.
• Execute and continuously improve: RF functional testing End-to-end TT&C and navigation test configurations Return loss, insertion loss, isolation, power output, and sensitivity measurements
• Develop and maintain RF test automation: Automate repetitive RF test sequences and structured data capture Improve repeatability, throughput, and configuration traceability
• Support environmental and system-level testing including: Thermal vacuum (TVAC) Vibration Thermal cycling Spacecraft integrated testing
• Own RF anomaly resolution: Debug harness, connector, and integration defects Identify workmanship-induced damage Isolate EMI/RFI coupling issues under schedule pressure
• When hardware fails during test, personally execute root cause isolation and corrective rework.
• Acceptance, Readiness & Launch Support Execute formal acceptance testing per released procedures and qualification requirements.
• Review test data packages, close discrepancy reports, and verify flight readiness.
• Support launch site operations, including last-minute RF troubleshooting and configuration validation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level