Senior RF Solution Architect / GPL Lead
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
The Senior RF Solution Architect / GPL Lead is responsible for driving RF design governance and Global Parameter List (GPL) integrity for satellite‑RAN acceptance across gateways and markets. This role leads RF modeling, beam‑plan validation, link‑budget analysis, CIQ governance, coverage‑persistence optimization, and the definition and enforcement of RF acceptance thresholds—all ensuring compliance with performance KPIs and regional regulatory requirements.
The position owns the creation and validation of RF design artifacts, triages interference issues, validates probe‑based RF telemetry, and publishes documentation that supports NOC playbooks and cross‑market acceptance readiness.
This role is essential to maintaining RF design integrity and GPL governance for satellite‑RAN service acceptance at scale. The Senior RF Solution Architect / GPL Lead ensures that beam plans, link budgets, CIQs, persistence criteria, and other RF parameters are consistently defined, validated, and ready for acceptance across gateways, devices, and global regions. By owning RF models, probe‑driven validation, and interference triage, this role reduces rework, strengthens cross‑market acceptance consistency, and delivers NOC‑ready RF design artifacts that support reliable and scalable commercial deployment.
Key Responsibilities
RF Architecture, Beam Planning & Link Budget Governance
- Lead RF architecture design and governance for satellite RAN acceptance across all gateways and markets.
- Define and validate beam plans, frequency plans, and RF design boundaries ensuring regulatory compliance and performance consistency.
- Own end‑to‑end link budget analysis, propagation assumptions, margins, and acceptance criteria.
GPL Ownership & CIQ Integrity
- Maintain, govern, and publish the Global Parameter List (GPL) covering RF, mobility, configuration, and planning parameters.
- Ensure CIQ (Cell Information Questionnaire) consistency across markets, validating completeness, alignment, and RF correctness.
- Conduct CIQ audits and enforce configuration integrity during market acceptance.
Coverage, Persistence & Interference Management
- Optimize beam persistence, boundary alignments, and handover thresholds to ensure stable user experience and adherence to KPIs.
- Lead interference triage and mitigation efforts across gateways, beams, and service regions.
- Perform RF troubleshooting for market‑specific anomalies using coverage data, logs, and telemetry.
Telemetry Validation & Acceptance Criteria
- Validate RF probe telemetry, beam health, coverage persistence, and mobility KPIs supporting acceptance milestones.
- Define and maintain RF acceptance thresholds, criteria, and repeatability standards across markets.
- Collaborate with NOC, planning, and performance engineering to ensure telemetry alignment with design expectations.
Design Documentation & Cross‑Functional Enablement
- Publish RF design packages, GPL releases, CIQ validation reports, interference summaries, and acceptance artifacts.
- Deliver RF inputs supporting NOC playbooks, troubleshooting guides, and operational readiness frameworks.
- Partner with network planning, core, gateway, and service assurance teams to enable smooth market and gateway acceptance.
Continuous Improvement & RF Governance Evolution
- Drive enhancements to RF models, acceptance workflows, coverage validation methodology, and parameter governance.
- Standardize RF design and GPL governance across gateways and markets for consistent deployment quality.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship on RF design, satellite‑RAN behavior, KPIs, and diagnosis methodologies.
Deliverables
- RF design packages, beam plans, and updated GPL releases.
- Link budget documents, CIQ validation reports, and configuration integrity audits.
- Coverage persistence assessments, interference triage summaries, and optimization findings.
- Probe telemetry validation reports and RF acceptance threshold documentation.
- Market/gateway acceptance packets, NOC playbook inputs, and readiness summaries.
- Standardized RF governance processes and continuous improvement recommendations.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Telecommunications, or related technical field.
- Master’s degree or relevant specialization in RF communications is preferred.
Experience
- 7–10+ years of experience in RF engineering, satellite communications, RAN design, or wireless system architecture.
- Experience leading RF design, link budget analysis, and parameter governance in large‑scale networks.
- Background in satellite‑enabled RAN systems, NTN (non‑terrestrial networks), or hybrid architecture preferred.
- Prior experience working with CIQs, parameter audits, coverage validation, or market acceptance.
Required Technical Expertise
- Deep expertise in RF modeling, link budgets, propagation analysis, and coverage prediction tools.
- Strong understanding of beamforming, satellite footprints, gateway interactions, and mobility implications.
- Hands‑on experience with CIQ, GPL, configuration audits, and RAN parameter management.
- Proficiency in analyzing probe telemetry, traces, logs, KPIs, and drive/scan data.
- Knowledge of interference analysis, RF troubleshooting, and optimization fundamentals.
- Familiarity with 4G/5G RF KPIs, mobility states, coverage behaviors, and satellite‑RAN performance nuances.
- Experience with RF software platforms (Atoll, Planet, or equivalent) and analytical tools (Python, MATLAB).
Professional Skills
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent cross‑functional communication with engineering, NOC, planning, and assurance teams.
- Structured and methodical approach to documentation, validation, and acceptance governance.
- Ability to manage multiple gateways/markets and drive technical alignment across stakeholders.
- Strong ownership, leadership, and ability to drive RF technical decisions independently.
- Ability to translate complex RF concepts into operationally consumable artifacts.
Technology Proficiency
- RF planning/coverage tools (Atoll, Planet, TEMS, Actix).
- Analytical tools (MATLAB, Python, SQL).
- Visualization tools (Power BI, Grafana, Kibana).
- Documentation tools (Confluence, SharePoint, Visio).
- Telemetry and KPI platforms used in RF performance monitoring.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in office or hybrid environments with extended analysis and modeling sessions.
- Occasional travel to support acceptance testing, interoperability reviews, or cross‑market readiness sessions.
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.