AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

Lead Systems Engineer, Next-Gen Satellites

AST SpaceMobile, Inc.$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field; Master's preferred
  • 7+ years of systems engineering experience, with minimum 2 years as SE Lead
  • Experience in space, satellite, or defense programs preferred
  • Proficiency with requirements management and configuration control processes
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence cross-functional teams

Responsibilities

  • Lead the technical direction of assigned programs from requirements to validation
  • Develop and track technical budgets across subsystems
  • Create new mission concepts and system architectures
  • Translate high-level requirements into detailed specifications
  • Drive system-level integration and resolve engineering issues
  • Support proposal efforts, including technical writing and cost estimation
  • Facilitate design reviews and technical meetings
  • Identify and mitigate programmatic and technical risks

Benefits

  • Mentoring opportunities for junior engineers
  • Contribution to process improvement initiatives
  • Exposure to diverse engineering disciplines and projects
  • Potential for involvement in customer-facing presentations
  • Flexible work environment with occasional travel
Full Job Description
Position Overview

We areseeking a Mid-Level Systems Engineer to join our growing team in Lanham, MD. This role is designed for a versatile, senior-enough engineer who can both lead and execute: stepping into project lead roles, driving technical budget development, shaping new concepts, and filling critical gaps across programs as business needs evolve.

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated SE lead experience from prior programs and thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where no two days look the same.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Serve as Systems Engineer Lead on assigned programs, owning technical direction from requirements definition through verification and validation
  • Develop, maintain, and track technical budgets (mass, power, link, schedule) across multiple subsystems
  • Lead the development of new mission concepts and system architectures in response to customer or internal needs
  • Translate high-level requirements into actionable subsystem and interface specifications
  • Coordinate across engineering disciplines (RF, software, mechanical, electrical) to drive system-level integration and resolve cross-cutting issues
  • Support proposal and business development efforts, including technical writing, basis-of-estimate development, and cost/schedule inputs
  • Facilitate and participate in design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and technical interchange meetings (TIMs)
  • Identify and mitigate programmatic and technical risks; maintain risk registers and present findings to program leadership
  • Mentor junior systems engineers and contribute to team process improvement initiatives

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field required; Master's degree preferred

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of systems engineering experience, with at least 2 years serving as an SE Lead on a program of record

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline
  • Experience in space, satellite, or defense programs
  • Experience with requirements management tools and configuration control processes

Soft Skills:
  • Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to lead and influence across cross-functional teams
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to brief technical and executive audiences
  • Comfort operating in ambiguity - able to define the path forward when requirements are incomplete or roles are fluid
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving ability with meticulous attention to detail across documentation and deliverables
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a dynamic, fast-moving environment
  • Self-starter who takes ownership and drives issues to closure without close supervision

Technology Stack:
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, analysis, and reporting
  • Requirements management tools: DOORS, Jama, or equivalent
  • MBSE tools: Cameo Systems Modeler or equivalent (preferred)
  • MATLAB / Simulink for analysis and trade studies (preferred)
  • Confluence and Jira for program tracking and collaboration
  • STK (Systems Tool Kit) for mission analysis (preferred)

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
  • Occasional travel to other AST SpaceMobile facilities or customer/government sites (up to 20%)

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.

About AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. is a telecommunications company that is developing a space-based cellular broadband network. The company's network will provide mobile connectivity to remote and underserved areas around the world. AST SpaceMobile, Inc. was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Learn more about AST SpaceMobile, Inc.
Size
50 employees
Market Cap
$696.8 million
Industry
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

  • Model Based Systems Engineer
    $130K — $150K + paid health insurance & dependents, paid education assistance, *
    Kitty Hawk Technologies
    King George, VA 22485 (King George County)
  • HISTORIAN
    $90K — $120K *
    Air Force STEM
    Arlington, VA 22204 (Arlington County)
  • Lockheed Martin
    Airframe Delivery Planner
    $111K — $196K *
    Lockheed Martin
    Bridgeport, CT 06606 (Greater Bridgeport County)
  • General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
    Program Manager III
    $115K — $145K *
    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
    Poway, CA 92064 (San Diego County)
  • General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
    Executive
    $150K — $200K *
    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
    San Diego, CA 92154 (San Diego County)

Find similar Lead Systems Engineer, Next-Gen Satellites jobs: