Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer

AST SpaceMobile•Dallas, TX

15h

About The Position

AST SpaceMobile is building SpaceMobile, a space-based cellular broadband network designed to provide 4G/5G-speed connectivity to standard smartphones around the world. The Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer leads device readiness and validation for direct-to-device wireless communication services, ensuring commercial mobile devices operate successfully across the network. The role works closely with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, and mobile network operators on performance validation, troubleshooting, and device certification. It also serves as a technical advisor throughout validation, field testing, onboarding, and commercial launch activities. The position owns device validation strategy for operator onboarding and leads laboratory and field testing of commercial mobile devices. It defines readiness criteria and test standards, analyzes device and network data to resolve technical issues, manages defects, and maintains compatibility and certification documentation. The engineer also leads customer-facing technical activities, supports trials and launches, communicates findings to technical and executive audiences, and mentors technical teams. The role requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field and at least 12 years of related experience, including at least 5 years in a senior technical leadership capacity. A master's degree is preferred. Domestic and international travel of approximately 25–35% is required as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
At least 12 years of experience in mobile device validation, chipset validation, device certification, wireless testing, or device-focused field engineering.
At least 5 years of experience in a senior technical lead, principal engineer, or equivalent leadership capacity.
Hands-on experience validating mobile devices, modem technologies, or wireless communication platforms.
Strong understanding of LTE technologies, signaling procedures, device connectivity, mobility management, and wireless performance analysis.
Working knowledge of 5G technologies and next-generation wireless architectures.
Experience working directly with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, or wireless operators to resolve technical issues.
Experience presenting technical findings and recommendations to customers, operators, and executive stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong customer-facing presentation and relationship management skills.
Ability to communicate complex technical topics to engineering and executive audiences.
Ability to influence external partners and stakeholders without direct authority.
Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to technical accuracy.
Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, highly collaborative environments and manage competing priorities across multiple customers, projects, and technical teams.
Ability to use computers and test equipment for extended periods and review technical documentation, test results, protocol logs, and engineering reports.
Ability to participate in customer-facing meetings, workshops, testing events, and technical reviews.
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing analysis, validation, and troubleshooting.
Domestic and international travel of approximately 25–35% as required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.
Experience with non-terrestrial networks, satellite communications, or direct-to-device wireless technologies.
Experience supporting commercial device certification and carrier acceptance programs.
Familiarity with IMS, VoLTE, VoNR, SIM, and eSIM technologies.
Experience with test automation and scripting using Python or similar languages.
Experience supporting international operator deployments and device certification initiatives.
Additional language skills supporting global customer engagements.

Responsibilities

Own device validation strategy for operator onboarding programs, including device selection, test planning, certification requirements, and compatibility tracking.
Lead laboratory and field validation of commercial mobile devices, covering connectivity, mobility, throughput, latency, application performance, and user experience.
Collaborate with chipset vendors and device manufacturers to resolve device, modem, firmware, and interoperability issues.
Serve as the primary technical lead during customer workshops, testing events, device validation activities, and technical reviews.
Define device readiness criteria, acceptance standards, test methodologies, and launch requirements.
Analyze modem logs, protocol traces, RF measurements, and performance data to identify root causes and resolve technical issues.
Manage device defects from identification through validation and resolution.
Maintain device compatibility matrices and certification documentation.
Develop and present technical reports, readiness assessments, executive summaries, and performance recommendations.
Partner with internal engineering teams to improve device performance, validation processes, and customer onboarding activities.
Support field trials, proof-of-concept programs, beta deployments, and commercial launch readiness activities.
Mentor technical teams on device behavior, performance characteristics, and troubleshooting methodologies.