VP Telco Network Architecture & Cyber Security

AST SpaceMobile • Dallas, TX

4d

About The Position

AST SpaceMobile is building SpaceMobile, a space-based cellular broadband network designed to provide 4G/5G connectivity to standard smartphones around the world. The VP, Network Architecture & Cyber Security leads the design, evolution, and security of carrier-grade network infrastructure supporting telecommunications services. The role defines architecture strategy across core, transport, IP, and interconnect domains and establishes a comprehensive cybersecurity framework to protect network assets, services, and customer data.

The VP leads the Network Engineering and Cyber Security organizations, setting architecture standards, security strategy, compliance programs, and technology roadmaps. In partnership with engineering, operations, product, service delivery, and executive teams, the role ensures services are designed, deployed, and operated to meet performance, security, scalability, and regulatory requirements. The position also represents network architecture and cybersecurity with customers, partners, regulators, and industry stakeholders, and develops organizational structures, governance, workforce plans, and talent strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Telecommunications, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 15–20 years of experience in telecommunications network architecture, network engineering, cybersecurity, or related technical leadership roles.
• Significant leadership experience managing engineering, architecture, and cybersecurity organizations.
• Proven experience overseeing carrier-grade network architecture and cybersecurity programs.
• Experience developing and implementing enterprise-level network and security strategies.
• Experience leading global, geographically distributed engineering and security teams.
• Experience managing risk, compliance, security governance, and operational readiness programs.
• Experience in telecommunications, wireless communications, networking, or critical infrastructure environments.
• Exceptional executive presence and leadership capabilities.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational development skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with technical, operational, and executive audiences.
• Strong decision-making and risk management abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational alignment.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to balance long-term strategy with tactical execution.
• Proven ability to build, mentor, and retain high-performing teams.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCIE, CCNP, GIAC, or comparable credentials.
• Experience supporting satellite communications, non-terrestrial networks, or direct-to-device communication services.
• Experience working with mobile network operators, telecommunications service providers, systems integrators, or network equipment vendors.
• Experience with large-scale cloud, virtualization, and software-defined networking environments.
• Familiarity with modern security architectures, including Zero Trust frameworks.
• Experience supporting regulatory audits, security certifications, and telecommunications compliance initiatives.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership, boards of directors, regulators, and industry organizations.
• Experience building and scaling high-performing engineering and security organizations.

Responsibilities

• Own network architecture strategy across core, transport, IP, and interconnect domains.
• Establish architecture standards, design principles, reference architectures, and engineering governance processes.
• Ensure network designs support scalability, reliability, performance, and interoperability across global deployments.
• Provide technical leadership to network engineering teams responsible for architecture, planning, and implementation.
• Define and execute cybersecurity strategy, architecture, and a multi-year technology roadmap.
• Lead security architecture reviews for new services, infrastructure deployments, partner integrations, and technology initiatives.
• Establish security policies, standards, and controls that support secure system development and operational readiness.
• Drive vulnerability management, security testing, patch management, and risk remediation programs.
• Integrate security requirements into validation, testing, deployment, and operational processes.
• Own compliance efforts related to telecommunications, security, privacy, and industry regulatory requirements.
• Lead security audits, assessments, and certification activities, maintaining compliance documentation and evidence.
• Represent network architecture and cybersecurity with customers, partners, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
• Maintain enterprise risk management processes for network architecture, cybersecurity, and operational resiliency.
• Support major incident response activities with senior engineering and security expertise.
• Establish incident response frameworks, playbooks, escalation models, and operational readiness programs.
• Partner with operational teams to strengthen security monitoring, threat detection, and response capabilities.
• Lead and develop Network Engineering and Cyber Security leadership teams.
• Build organizational structures, workforce plans, governance frameworks, and long-term talent strategies.
• Establish operating rhythms, performance metrics, and executive reporting mechanisms for architecture and security organizations.
• Present strategy, risk posture, compliance status, roadmap priorities, and key initiatives to executive leadership.
• Identify and communicate strategic risks, architectural dependencies, security concerns, and roadmap impacts.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Company-Paid Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Company-Paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
• Career Growth and Development Opportunities

What This Job Offers

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