Systems Engineer, Operations Automation

AST SpaceMobile • Lanham, MD

9h • 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, Operations Automation to architect and write the system-level requirements for spacecraft bus autonomy. Working at the intersection of flight software (FSW), ground software (GSW), fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR), and the various bus subsystems, the role defines the concept of operations (ConOps), autonomy requirements, and cross-subsystem interfaces that enable reliable, scalable, and increasingly automated operations. Rather than owning any individual subsystem, the engineer integrates across subsystem owners and partners with the software and operations teams to ensure a coherent, well-defined approach to operational autonomy as the fleet grows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, Computer, or Software Engineering, or a related technical field
• A minimum of 5 years of software and/or systems engineering experience, preferably with spacecraft, satellite, or other complex real-time systems, including hands-on experience defining and implementing software-based automation or autonomy.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with satellite or spacecraft operations, including ground-segment automation.
• Software background, with hands-on experience developing or specifying flight software (FSW) and/or ground software (GSW).
• Experience architecting and writing requirements for spacecraft or vehicle autonomy.
• Experience authoring ConOps and leading systems definition across multiple subsystems and teams.
• Working knowledge of fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) and closed-loop control.
• Breadth across multiple spacecraft disciplines and subsystems, with the ability to integrate autonomy at the system level.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, with a proven ability to drive alignment across multiple subsystem owners and teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong systems thinking, with meticulous attention to detail and operational rigor.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment and prioritize across competing demands.
• Software development and scripting languages (e.g., Python, C/C++).
• Satellite command-and-control and ground-system software.
• Telemetry analysis and data visualization tools.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Architect and write system-level requirements for spacecraft bus autonomy, translating operational needs into clear, verifiable requirements across subsystems.
• Define requirements and concepts for fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR), including automated error detection, fail-over, and on-board recovery flows, in coordination with the responsible subsystem owners.
• Define the concept of operations (ConOps) for automated on-board and ground operations, reducing manual, in-the-loop intervention and enabling operations to scale as the fleet grows.
• Specify the interfaces and coordination between flight software (FSW) and ground software (GSW) required to deliver end-to-end operational autonomy.
• Define system-level requirements for automated on-board sequences and routines that span multiple subsystems.
• Support verification and validation of autonomy behaviors against the defined requirements.
• Coordinate across all subsystem owners to ensure consistent systems definition and integrated, automated operations.
• Serve as the systems-level point of integration across flight software (FSW), ground software (GSW), FDIR, and the various bus subsystems, ensuring consistent definition and clean interfaces.

What This Job Offers

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