Systems Engineer – Defense

AST SpaceMobile • Lanham, MD

1d • 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.

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to support the development and implementation of advanced communications and technology solutions for government and defense-related programs. In this role, you will support systems engineering activities across the full program lifecycle, including requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical planning. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate complex mission needs into scalable system solutions while supporting business growth and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate has experience supporting defense, space, telecommunications, or other mission-critical programs and possesses a strong understanding of systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system integration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of systems engineering experience within aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or other complex technical environments.
• Experience supporting government, defense, space, or mission-critical programs.
• Experience with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system modeling practices.
• Experience supporting system integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional and multidisciplinary environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure the accuracy of technical documentation and project deliverables.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a structured approach to decision-making.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to coordinate large teams and drive alignment across stakeholders.
• Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance required.
• U.S. citizenship required due to government contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with communications, RF, wireless, satellite, or space-based systems.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Experience with requirements management, system modeling, and verification tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).
• Experience performing system trade studies, performance analysis, and technical risk assessments.
• Knowledge of RF performance analysis, communications systems, or network architectures.
• Experience supporting command and control, intelligence, surveillance, communications, or other mission-focused applications.
• Experience supporting proposal development and technical solution planning.
• Prior experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or commercial space programs.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of system-level technical budgets, including power, data, performance, and other engineering metrics.
• Define, analyze, document, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability.
• Support requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities throughout the program lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), interface documentation, verification plans, and traceability matrices.
• Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support architecture and design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, communications, and subsystem engineering teams to ensure technical alignment and integration.
• Support system-level design reviews and technical presentations, including preparation of supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with technical leads and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and consolidate engineering data.
• Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities.
• Interface with customers, program leadership, and external partners to support technical planning and program execution.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical documentation, and solution planning activities for new business opportunities.
• Support capability development, architecture definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Provide systems engineering support across all phases of development and operational readiness activities.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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