Partner Technical Lead Europe

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 an EU Partner Technical Lead to serve as the engineering authority for a strategic Tier-1 telecommunications partner (and broader partner ecosystem) in the European Union. This role owns end-to-end solution architecture, integration, testing, certification, and service readiness for satellite-enabled cellular services across EU markets.

You will translate business objectives into technical roadmaps, lead cross-domain integration (NTN/RAN, 4G/5G Core, IMS/VoLTE/VoNR, transport/security, OSS/BSS), and ensure services meet contractual KPIs/SLOs, European regulatory requirements, and operational excellence standards. You will act as the primary technical interface for EU partner stakeholders, ensuring alignment with GDPR, ETSI standards, ENISA security recommendations, and applicable spectrum/licensing and lawful intercept obligations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary technical interface and solution owner for EU partners, aligning architecture and deployment plans with KPI/SLA commitments and regulatory requirements• Define partner-specific technical strategy and multi-phase rollout plans across voice, data, messaging, and IoT services• Lead end-to-end network integration across satellite systems, ground infrastructure, core networks, and partner interconnection points• Develop technical specifications for RAN integration, core interworking, transport connectivity, and OSS/BSS integration• Translate commercial agreements into technical deliverables including acceptance criteria, readiness scorecards, and certification gates• Lead integration testing, interoperability validation, and system acceptance activities• Ensure compliance with 3GPP standards and relevant EU regulatory and security frameworks• Drive troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex multi-layer network issues• Establish technical escalation procedures and conduct post-incident technical reviews• Collaborate with internal Engineering, Product, Network Operations, and Service Assurance teams to align roadmaps and deployment priorities• Support technical feasibility assessments, performance modeling, and capacity planning• Participate in partner working sessions, architecture reviews, and executive technical briefings• Manage technical change requests, impact assessments, and engineering coordination• Identify optimization opportunities and support technical innovation initiatives

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field required.Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Systems Engineering, or Technology Management preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of 12+ years of experience in telecommunications engineering, network architecture, or technical solution design, with focus on wireless networks, core systems, or satellite communications.Proven experience serving as technical lead or solution architect for Tier-1 MNO partnerships or major telecommunications infrastructure deployments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in satellite communications, LEO constellations, or NTN network integration• Background working with European telecommunications operators• Experience supporting large-scale 5G standalone deployments• Knowledge of cloud-native network functions and containerized architectures (Kubernetes, Docker)• Familiarity with IP networking, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), MPLS, and SD-WAN• Understanding of IoT connectivity and satellite-terrestrial convergence• Professional certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent• Experience with Agile methodologies or technical program management

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional technical communication skills with ability to explain complex architectures to diverse audiences• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trusted advisor relationships with partner engineering leadership• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional and distributed global teams• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills• Ability to translate technical capabilities into business value• High level of accountability, ownership, and decision-making confidence• Adaptability in complex, multi-vendor, multi-stakeholder environments• Ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives across EU and U.S. time zones

Technology Stack:

• 5G/LTE RAN, EPC/5GC, IMS architectures• 3GPP protocols (NAS, RRC, NGAP, S1AP, Diameter, SIP, GTP)• Wireshark, tcpdump, XCAP, XCAL• RF test equipment and spectrum analyzers• Network elements (Ericsson, Nokia, Mavenir)• BSS/OSS systems and network management tools• Visio, LucidChart, Confluence• Microsoft Office Suite• Jira, ServiceNow, Slack, Microsoft Teams• Kubernetes, Docker, Python, Ansible, Terraform• Git, GitLab, GitHub

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office or remote environment• Ability to travel up to 30–40% within the EU and occasionally to the U.S.• Ability to work across multiple time zones• Occasional presence in network operations centres, labs, ground stations, and partner technical facilities• Ability to use a computer and technical systems for extended periods

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.