Senior Lab Engineer at AST SpaceMobile in Lanham, MD

Job description

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 RAN Deployment Engineer to support testing, validation, and certification activities for advanced communications systems. This role is responsible for maintaining lab infrastructure, preparing test environments, executing test procedures, collecting and analyzing results, and ensuring testing activities are performed in a consistent, repeatable, and auditable manner. The ideal candidate will work closely with engineering, operations, and quality teams to support system validation, troubleshoot issues, maintain lab readiness, and contribute to successful product releases and deployment activities. Key Responsibilities Operate and maintain laboratory infrastructure to support testing, validation, certification, and deployment activities Prepare and configure test environments to support functional, performance, integration, and acceptance testing Install software builds and releases while maintaining configuration control and environment consistency Maintain baseline configurations and system images to support repeatable and reliable testing activities Manage laboratory equipment, test systems, network infrastructure, and supporting hardware components Execute test plans, test packs, and validation procedures in accordance with established processes and acceptance criteria Perform both automated and manual testing activities while maintaining accurate execution records Capture telemetry, logs, system metrics, and performance data for analysis and troubleshooting purposes Perform configuration verification, integrity checks, and readiness assessments prior to testing activities Identify, document, and track defects, anomalies, and test failures with detailed technical analysis and supporting evidence Generate test reports, certification artifacts, and validation documentation for internal stakeholders Support quality assurance and compliance activities by maintaining accurate records and audit-ready documentation Assist with operational readiness reviews and provide documentation required for deployment and support teams Support beta programs, release validation efforts, and production launch activities Collaborate with software, systems, infrastructure, operations, and integration teams to resolve issues and improve testing processes Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, efficiency, quality, and operational excellence Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in telecommunications, networking, communications systems, software testing, systems integration, or laboratory operations Experience supporting test execution, validation activities, and laboratory infrastructure management Experience working within structured testing, certification, or quality assurance environments Experience with automated testing, defect management, and test documentation processes Experience supporting large-scale technical systems and operational readiness programs Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting satellite communications, wireless communications, networking, or telecommunications environments Experience with acceptance testing, commissioning, integration testing, or certification workflows Familiarity with network operations environments and operational readiness processes Experience supporting beta programs, field validation activities, or production launch readiness efforts Knowledge of configurati