Senior Lab Engineer

AST SpaceMobile • Lanham, MD

5h

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. Position Overview We are seeking a Senior Lab Engineer to operate and maintain acceptance‑lab infrastructure, preparing test environments, installing builds, executing standardized test packs, capturing telemetry, and preserving golden configurations to support repeatable and auditable certification workflows. This role ensures all activities follow established tools, safety standards, and documentation practices. The Senior Lab Engineer will run scripted test cases, perform CIQ and integrity checks, log defects, manage lab equipment, and publish results and artifacts aligned with acceptance criteria, OSS integrations, and NOC handover requirements for beta cycles and commercial launches. This is a hands‑on technical role within our satellite‑cellular testing ecosystem, requiring precision, discipline, and operational excellence. Success depends on strong attention to detail, strict adherence to procedures, and the ability to work effectively with complex testing infrastructure while upholding high safety and quality standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or related technical field
• 5+ years’ experience in telecommunications or satellite communications testing environments with hands-on lab operations
• Demonstrated experience with test execution, lab infrastructure management, and certification processes
• Proven track record with scripted testing, automated test execution, and defect tracking processes
• Technical & Operational Skills Strong understanding of test execution methodologies and lab infrastructure operations in satellite/telecom environments Proficiency with telemetry collection, performance monitoring, and data analysis for network validation Knowledge of configuration management, version control, and environment management in lab settings
• Testing & Quality Assurance Expertise in scripted test execution, automated testing frameworks, and manual testing procedures Strong defect identification, documentation, and tracking with detailed technical analysis Experience with CIQ processes and acceptance testing standards in telecommunications and satellite industries
• Documentation & Communication Excellent technical documentation skills for test procedures, results analysis, and certification evidence Clear communication abilities for technical reporting to engineering teams and NOC personnel Strong attention to detail for accurate test records and compliance documentation

Nice To Haves

• Experience in satellite communications testing, particularly LEO/MEO/GEO systems and satellite-cellular integration
• Background in acceptance testing, CIQ processes, or certification workflows at operators or equipment vendors
• Familiarity with NOC operational procedures and OSS integration requirements

Responsibilities

• Lab Infrastructure Operations & Environment Management Operate acceptance lab infrastructure to support certification workflows and ensure lab availability for scheduled testing activities Prepare environments by configuring lab setups, verifying connectivity, and aligning systems with test requirements Install builds and software releases following established procedures for version control and configuration management Maintain golden configurations for lab environments to ensure repeatable baseline setups and consistent test execution Manage lab equipment including servers, test devices, and measurement tools, ensuring optimal performance and availability
• Test Execution & Validation Activities Execute test packs according to established procedures and acceptance criteria with comprehensive functional and performance coverage Run scripted tests in automated and manual environments following standardized procedures and maintaining detailed execution logs Capture telemetry and performance data during test execution for accurate collection and analysis of critical system metrics Perform CIQ checks to validate system compliance with technical specifications and customer requirements
• Quality Assurance & Documentation Log defects identified during testing with detailed reproduction steps, evidence, and impact assessment for effective resolution Publish results and artifacts from test execution with comprehensive documentation of outcomes and certification evidence Support repeatable, auditable certification workflows through consistent documentation and compliance with quality standards Ensure safety compliance in all lab operations following industry standards and company policies
• Integration & Handover Support Align with acceptance criteria for each test cycle ensuring validation activities meet specified requirements and quality thresholds Support OSS hooks and operational support system integration points with properly formatted lab results and data Support NOC handover requirements by providing test evidence, configuration documentation, and operational readiness artifacts Support beta and launches through targeted testing, validation of configurations, and provision of deployment evidence

What This Job Offers

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