Payload Operations Engineer

Lanham, Maryland, United States

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.

Summary:

The Payload Operations Engineer performs all activities required to operate the AST satellite payload subsystems to support constellation service and in-orbit testing.  This is a day-staff shift position supporting each of the AST Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs) but will also require support during some weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts in order to provide 24x7 payload support. 

Duties include:

  • Support development of payload operations tools required for efficient automated payload tasks 
  • Operate payload tools to create all configuration items required for the payload in-orbit testing (IOT) and commercial service 
  • Monitor the service/test automation and analyze the results via evaluation of telemetries and logs 
  • Coordinate payload system configuration changes as required to maintain commercial service levels 
  • Work with tool developers for functionality updates and payload software updates 
  • Coordinate troubleshooting with SOC, Network Operations Center (NOC) and Subsystem engineers to resolve any service issues  
  • Monitor and process payload subsystem telemetry data to maintain payload subsystem state of health including but not limited to power, thermal, and RF performance 
  • Maintain situational awareness of satellite, payload, and ground configuration and status 
  • Operate SOC operations software tools 
  • Support development of automated operations tools 
  • Participate in daily shift handover briefings 
  • Support mission product development including procedure development, test, and validation 
  • Support system readiness, planning, and preparation for satellite in-orbit milestones  
  • Attend required and routine training sessions, simulations, rehearsals, conferences, and program reviews 

 

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field 
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Card holder 
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills  
  • Ability to work in an environment with rapidly evolving system requirements  
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently 
  • Technical understanding of satellite system architecture and subsystem functionality 
  • High level of problem-solving capabilities  
  • Familiarity with engineering analysis tools  

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 2+ years' experience, and/or Masters degree 
  • Experience working with satellite communication payloads 
  • Multi-satellite LEO constellation experience 
  • Demonstrated ability to drive requirements for concepts of operation 
  • Familiarity with version control software, preferably Git 
  • Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence) 
  • Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Java, Python, Matlab, C#,  

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.

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