TTC & RF Systems Engineer

AST SpaceMobile•Midland, TX

20h

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 / Frequency & Radio Engineer to own Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TTC) systems end-to-end for a fast-paced LEO satellite program. This is a build-and-own role, not a coordination or oversight position. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable running detailed RF link budgets and physically crimping SMA connectors, routing coax, and troubleshooting hardware on the floor. You will design, build, integrate, test, debug, qualify, and support flight hardware through launch readiness. You will touch every part of the RF chain — and stand behind it at Flight Readiness Review.

Requirements

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent hands-on industry experience
Deep, hands-on RF experience in S-Band and/or UHF frequency bands
Proven experience with: Antennas and TTC subsystems Coax harnessing and RF assemblies RF test equipment including VNA, spectrum analyzers, power meters, and signal generators
Experience supporting AIT, environmental testing, and production builds
Comfortable working in cleanroom, laboratory, and manufacturing environments
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex RF issues under aggressive timelines
Strong ownership mentality and accountability for flight hardware
Decisive under pressure
Detail-oriented with disciplined documentation practices
Effective cross-functional communicator across engineering and manufacturing
High resilience during long test campaigns and anomaly resolution
RF test equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzer, power meter, signal generator)
S-Band and UHF radios and transceivers
RF simulation and link budget tools
Coax assembly tooling and inspection equipment
AIT RF rack development and GSE hardware
Ability to work extended hours during integration and test campaigns
Ability to stand for long periods on the manufacturing floor
Manual dexterity for fine connector termination and harness assembly
Ability to lift and move test equipment and rack components (up to 40 lbs)
Ability to work in cleanroom, lab, and environmental test facilities

Nice To Haves

LEO satellite TTC experience
Launch site or on-orbit operations support experience
Experience flying multiple spacecraft
Familiarity with protoflight and rapid-iteration hardware development models
Experience supporting environmental qualification campaigns and production-rate builds

Responsibilities

Full ownership of S-Band and UHF TTC systems
End-to-end responsibility for: Radios and transceivers Flight and ground antennas RF harnessing and coax assemblies Qualification (QVA) and protoflight hardware AIT RF racks and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Define RF architectures, performance margins, and electrical interfaces
Develop and validate link budgets and system-level RF analyses
Prove designs in hardware through test and environmental qualification
Personally drive build, integration, inspection, and rework of RF hardware
Build and inspect: Coax cable assemblies Connector terminations (SMA, TNC, N-type, etc.) Harness routing, clamping, torque verification, and strain relief
Maintain active presence on the production floor during builds
Collaborate directly with manufacturing engineers and technicians
Enforce hardware quality standards and prevent non-conforming hardware from advancing to flight
Design and build AIT RF racks from the ground up
Execute: RF functional testing Link verification and end-to-end TTC testing Return loss, insertion loss, isolation, power, and sensitivity measurements
Support: TVAC, vibration, and thermal test campaigns System-level spacecraft integration and test
Lead RF anomaly resolution: Debug harness faults Isolate connector or termination damage Identify and mitigate EMI/RFI issues
Provide off-hours troubleshooting support during critical test windows
Define and execute QVA and acceptance test campaigns
Develop protoflight and qualification strategies aligned to LEO production cadence
Review and disposition test data; close action items
Sign hardware ready for flight
Support launch site operations and last-minute troubleshooting
Represent RF systems during Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs)
Move quickly without compromising flight integrity
Make sound engineering decisions with incomplete data
Balance schedule, risk, and performance pragmatically
Operate fluidly across roles: systems engineer, integrator, test lead, and anomaly responder
Contribute to a high-accountability, no-silos environment