TTC & RF Systems Engineer

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.

Key Responsibilities

TTC & RF System Ownership

• 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

Hands-On Manufacturing & Integration

• 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

AIT, Test & Debug

• 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

Qualification, Acceptance & Flight Readiness

• 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)

Startup Environment Expectations

• 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

Qualifications

Education

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent hands-on industry experience

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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

Soft Skills

• 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

Technology Stack

• 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

Physical Requirements

• 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

What Success Looks Like

• RF systems perform nominally during AIT with minimal rework

• Fast root-cause isolation and closure when anomalies arise

• Hardware performs consistently from bench testing through environmental qualification, launch, and on-orbit operations

• Full technical ownership of flight-ready TTC hardware systems

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.