Associate RF System Integration Engineer

AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly hands-on Associate RF Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer to execute, integrate, test, and debug flight RF hardware supporting a fast-paced LEO satellite program at AST SpaceMobile.

This is a hardware-centric execution role. The selected candidate will personally build, integrate, verify, troubleshoot, and support RF systems from bench validation through launch operations. You will partner directly with TT&C and GPS design leads who own system architecture and requirements, translating released designs into robust, flight-ready hardware.

This is not a documentation or coordination position — it is a build, test, and fix role.

Key Responsibilities

RF Assembly, Integration & Test Execution

• Execute integration and verification testing for TT&C and GPS flight hardware.

• Own hands-on integration and test of:

• Flight radios and transceivers

• Flight antennas

• RF harnessing and coaxial assemblies

• AIT RF racks and ground support equipment (GSE)

• Work directly from released schematics, ICDs, and mechanical interfaces.

• Verify RF performance margins, interface integrity, and system compliance through empirical hardware testing and data analysis.

Hands-On Manufacturing & Build Support

• Personally drive RF hardware build, inspection, integration, and rework activities.

• Fabricate, inspect, and validate:

• Coaxial cable assemblies

• Connector terminations (SMA, TNC, N-type, etc.)

• Harness routing, clamping, torque application, and strain relief implementation

• Maintain active presence on the manufacturing floor during hardware builds.

• Partner with manufacturing engineers and technicians to ensure workmanship standards.

• Identify and arrest integration escapes, workmanship defects, and latent hardware risks before propagation.

AIT, Test, Debug & Automation

• Design, assemble, and sustain AIT RF racks and associated test infrastructure.

• Execute and continuously improve:

• RF functional testing

• End-to-end TT&C and navigation test configurations

• Return loss, insertion loss, isolation, power output, and sensitivity measurements

• Develop and maintain RF test automation:

• Automate repetitive RF test sequences and structured data capture

• Improve repeatability, throughput, and configuration traceability

• Support environmental and system-level testing including:

• Thermal vacuum (TVAC)

• Vibration

• Thermal cycling

• Spacecraft integrated testing

• Own RF anomaly resolution:

• Debug harness, connector, and integration defects

• Identify workmanship-induced damage

• Isolate EMI/RFI coupling issues under schedule pressure

• When hardware fails during test, personally execute root cause isolation and corrective rework.

Acceptance, Readiness & Launch Support

• Execute formal acceptance testing per released procedures and qualification requirements.

• Review test data packages, close discrepancy reports, and verify flight readiness.

• Support launch site operations, including last-minute RF troubleshooting and configuration validation.

What Winning Looks Like

• RF hardware integrates cleanly and predictably in AIT.

• Issues are identified early, debugged efficiently, and closed with permanent corrective action.

• RF systems perform consistently from bench validation → environmental test → launch → orbit.

• You can point to the spacecraft and confidently state: “I built and tested that system.”

Qualifications

Education

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated hands-on RF experience.

Experience

• Practical RF experience across common TT&C frequency bands.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with:

• RF assemblies and coax harness fabrication

• Antennas and RF subsystems

• RF test equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzer, power meters, signal generators)

• Experience supporting AIT, environmental test campaigns, and production manufacturing.

• Comfortable operating in cleanroom, laboratory, and factory environments.

• Proven ability to troubleshoot and close hardware issues under aggressive timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct LEO satellite RF or TT&C integration experience.

• Launch base or on-orbit support exposure.

• Experience supporting multiple flight vehicles in parallel.

• Background developing automated RF test frameworks and data systems.

Soft Skills

• High ownership mentality with strong bias toward execution.

• Detail-oriented while maintaining schedule awareness.

• Pragmatic decision-making in ambiguous or data-limited environments.

• Collaborative across design, manufacturing, and test organizations.

• Calm and methodical under hardware anomaly pressure.

Technology Stack

• Vector Network Analyzers (VNA)

• Spectrum Analyzers

• RF Signal Generators

• Power Meters

• RF Switching Matrices

• Automated Test Software (Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent)

• Standard AIT data logging and configuration management tools

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work extended periods in cleanroom and lab environments.

• Frequent hands-on bench work requiring fine motor skills.

• Ability to lift and maneuver test equipment and RF racks (up to 40 lbs).

• Willingness to travel to launch sites as required.

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.