AI Lab Manager

AST SpaceMobile•Midland, TX

7h•Onsite

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. AST SpaceMobile is seeking an AI Data Operations Manager based in Midland, TX to operate, secure, and run the day-to-day operations of the on-site AI Lab supporting the AI & Autonomy division. You will be the single point of accountability for the lab’s physical security, IT and server infrastructure, and the part-time image-labeling workforce that produces the labeled datasets feeding our computer-vision and robotics models. You will enforce strict lab access and information-security rules — no personal phones, photography, personal electronics, or removable storage media inside the lab — and ensure all workstations, GPU servers, storage, and network equipment are properly maintained, patched, and locked down. You will hire, train, schedule, and supervise a part-time labeling workforce on AST’s in-house labeling software, partnering daily with quality inspectors and manufacturing engineers to capture, log, and curate the imagery that trains spacecraft inspection and robotic computer-vision models. This is a hands-on role for a computer-literate, security-conscious operator who is comfortable owning both people and infrastructure.

Requirements

3+ years of experience managing a lab, secure operations area, IT/data center, or other controlled-access environment
Demonstrated security-conscious mindset with experience enforcing access-control, information-security, or export-controlled workspace rules
Strong computer literacy: comfortable administering Windows and/or Linux workstations, identity tooling (Active Directory or equivalent), basic networking, and standard productivity tools
Experience supervising and training an hourly or part-time workforce, including scheduling, performance feedback, and quality oversight
Comfort partnering with engineers and shop-floor technicians in a manufacturing or hardware environment
Strong written and verbal communication and meticulous documentation habits
Ability to be physically on-site in Midland, TX and to occasionally support extended or off-shift hours during high-throughput campaigns
High school diploma or equivalent
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supporting computer vision, machine learning, or data-labeling operations
Familiarity with image-labeling tooling (e.g., CVAT, Labelbox, Scale, or in-house equivalents) and labeling QA practices
Experience administering GPU workstations or servers (NVIDIA driver / CUDA toolchains)
Background in aerospace, defense, or other ITAR / export-controlled environments
Experience with badge access systems, video surveillance, and facility access auditing
Familiarity with manufacturing quality processes, Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), or visual inspection workflows
Coursework or certifications in IT, cybersecurity, networking, or facility security
Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred

Responsibilities

Manage the day-to-day operation of the on-site AI Lab in Midland, including opening, securing, and closing the facility and ensuring the lab is locked at all non-operating hours
Enforce lab access and information-security rules — no personal cell phones, cameras, photography, personal electronics, or removable storage media (USB sticks, SD cards, external drives) inside the lab — and maintain visitor logs and badge access controls
Hire, onboard, schedule, and supervise a part-time computer-vision image-labeling workforce, ensuring consistent shift coverage and adequate throughput on labeling queues
Train labelers on AST’s in-house image-labeling software, including labeling conventions, ontology updates, quality standards, escalation paths, and productivity expectations
Monitor labeling output for accuracy and consistency, run calibration and inter-rater agreement checks, and provide ongoing coaching and corrective feedback to the labeling team
Partner daily with manufacturing quality inspectors and engineers to plan, capture, log, and ingest images and short-form video of spacecraft components and assembly steps used to train computer-vision and robotics models
Maintain the lab’s image- and video-capture workflow: managing camera rigs, lighting, fixtures, capture protocols, file naming, metadata, and chain-of-custody from the factory floor into lab storage
Manage and maintain lab compute resources including workstations, GPU servers, storage arrays, networking equipment, and backup systems; coordinate with Corporate IT on patching, imaging, account provisioning, and ticket resolution
Track and audit lab assets, software licenses, peripherals, and consumables; maintain accurate inventory and asset-tag records
Own lab safety, ESD, and housekeeping standards, ensuring the workspace meets manufacturing-floor cleanliness and electrical-safety expectations
Maintain operational runbooks, standard operating procedures, training materials, and security policies for the lab; lead periodic security reviews and access audits
Report on lab utilization, labeling throughput, dataset growth, security incidents, and infrastructure health to the Chief of AI and Autonomy