Senior Mission Integration Systems Engineer
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 Mission Integration Systems Engineer to support Mission Operations across the full lifecycle of our space missions. This role acts as the bridge between mission definition, spacecraft design, and real-time operations—ensuring that what we design is truly operable and that teams remain aligned from scenario development through on-orbit execution.
You will document operational scenarios, develop CONOPS, support rehearsals, and be actively involved through launch and early operations. This is a hands-on, highly collaborative role working closely with leadership, mission design, spacecraft engineering, and operations teams.
This is a high-impact, senior technical leadership position ideal for someone who has supported multiple communications missions, understands spacecraft behavior on orbit, and can translate that knowledge into robust operational strategies.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development and ownership of system-level Concept of Operations (CONOPS), ensuring clear linkage to mission objectives, requirements, and system architecture.
- Oversee creation of operational scenarios, timelines, modes, contingency strategies, and mission phase definitions.
- Ensure CONOPS drives early design decisions, automation strategies, and operator workflows.
- Partner closely with the communications payload team to assess early designs, validate operational feasibility, and ensure system architecture meets mission requirements and link budgets.
- Support mission simulations, dry runs, and full-up rehearsals for launch, commissioning, and nominal operations.
- Review test scripts, timelines, operator checklists, and expected system responses.
- Drive identification of operational risks, dependencies, and mitigation steps.
- Provide senior engineering leadership during launch and early orbit operations (LEOP), including real-time decision support.
- Guide anomaly triage, recovery planning, and system performance evaluation.
- Mentor operations and system engineering staff during critical mission phases.
- Act as the interface between mission design teams, engineering, and operations, ensuring both sides understand constraints, capabilities, and operator impacts.
- Provide operational inputs to system design, requirements, and verification planning.
- Support anomaly resolution, contributing operational context and system-level insight.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, physics, or related field.
Experience:
A minimum of 15+ years in spacecraft operations, mission design, systems engineering, or flight dynamics.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with constellation operations or high-throughput satellite architectures.
- Background influencing spacecraft or ground system design for operability and autonomy.
- Experience providing technical leadership across cross-functional teams.
- Familiarity with operations automation, scripting, or monitoring frameworks.
Soft Skills
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative communication skills across engineering and operations.
- Calm, structured approach during time-critical activities.
- Strong analytical and scenario-thinking skills.
- Detail-oriented documentation habits.
- Comfortable leading rehearsals and presenting operational concepts to cross-functional teams.
Technology Stack
No specific technology stack required; familiarity with operations automation tools is a plus.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
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.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.