Principal Systems Engineer

AST SpaceMobile • Titusville, FL

5d • Remote

About The Position

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Lead Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer to serve as its primary technical interface with launch vehicle providers. The remote role is based within commuting distance of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and owns launch vehicle interface definition and Interface Control Documents (ICDs), spacecraft integration with multiple launch vehicles, and technical authority at the launch site through campaign execution and launch.

The position requires hands-on spacecraft-launch vehicle integration experience from interface definition through launch-site operations. The engineer works with providers, ranges, facilities, and internal teams across multiple sites, making technical decisions in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The role requires a dedicated home office and reliable internet, travel of up to 20%, and the ability to work at launch and processing facilities, including during extended and irregular hours on launch campaigns. Access to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center is required, as is U.S. person status for access to export-controlled launch vehicle data.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 8 years of aerospace systems engineering experience.
• At least 3 years in launch vehicle integration, launch vehicle interface management, or launch-site operations on at least one spacecraft or payload that has flown.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and influence launch providers, range and facility personnel, and internal teams without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including briefing technical and executive audiences and negotiating technical positions with external partners.
• Sound judgment and composure when making technical decisions under schedule pressure and during launch campaigns.
• Ability to operate amid ambiguity and define a path forward when requirements are incomplete or interfaces are still maturing.
• Meticulous attention to detail in ICDs, verification records, and launch documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple providers and competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Self-motivated, effective working independently in a remote setting, and able to take ownership and drive issues to closure without close supervision.
• Ability to work at launch sites and processing facilities, including cleanroom, hazardous-operation, and outdoor environments, and to work extended and irregular hours during launch campaigns.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, including for extended campaign support.
• Ability to obtain and maintain access to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center; U.S. person status is required for access to export-controlled launch vehicle data.
• Comfort using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) for documentation, analysis, and reporting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with multiple launch vehicles or launch providers.
• Experience serving as launch-site or campaign technical lead for a spacecraft or large constellation.
• Familiarity with range safety processes and requirements, such as SSCMAN 91-710, and launch-site facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.
• Familiarity with CAD viewing tools and structural and thermal analysis outputs, including coupled loads analysis.

Responsibilities

• Serve as AST's lead technical interface with launch vehicle providers, representing AST in technical interchange meetings, working groups, and mission integration reviews.
• Act as AST's technical authority at the launch site, leading spacecraft processing, integration, encapsulation, and launch operations with launch vehicle, range, and facility teams.
• Own, negotiate, and maintain spacecraft-to-launch-vehicle Interface Control Documents and related interface requirements, managing changes through formal configuration control.
• Lead launch vehicle compatibility and coordinate integration analyses, including mass properties, structural loads and coupled loads analysis, environments, thermal, RF, electrical, and separation and deployment.
• Define and track launch-related requirements, verification plans, and mission assurance deliverables, and ensure launch vehicle requirements flow down into spacecraft and ground design.
• Support launch vehicle provider evaluation and selection, including technical assessments and trade studies.
• Lead technical launch readiness reviews and provide go/no-go technical recommendations to AST leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal