Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer at AST SpaceMobile in Dallas, TX

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 Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer to lead device readiness and validation activities for direct-to-device wireless communication services. This role is responsible for ensuring commercial mobile devices operate successfully across the network by working closely with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, and mobile network operators to validate performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive device certification efforts. The ideal candidate combines deep mobile device and modem expertise with strong customer-facing capabilities, serving as a trusted technical advisor during device validation, field testing, onboarding, and commercial launch activities. Key Responsibilities Own device validation strategy for operator onboarding programs, including device selection, test planning, certification requirements, and compatibility tracking Lead laboratory and field validation efforts for commercial mobile devices, including connectivity, mobility, throughput, latency, application performance, and user experience testing Collaborate with chipset vendors and device manufacturers to resolve device, modem, firmware, and interoperability issues Serve as the primary technical lead during customer workshops, testing events, device validation activities, and technical reviews Define device readiness criteria, acceptance standards, test methodologies, and launch requirements Analyze modem logs, protocol traces, RF measurements, and performance data to identify root causes and resolve technical issues Manage the device defect lifecycle from identification through validation and resolution Maintain device compatibility matrices and certification documentation Develop and present technical reports, readiness assessments, executive summaries, and performance recommendations Partner with internal engineering teams to improve device performance, validation processes, and customer onboarding activities Support field trials, proof-of-concept programs, beta deployments, and commercial launch readiness activities Mentor technical teams on device behavior, performance characteristics, and troubleshooting methodologies Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field Master's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline preferred. Experience: Minimum 12 years of experience in mobile device validation, chipset validation, device certification, wireless testing, or device-focused field engineering Minimum 5 years of experience serving in a senior technical lead, principal engineer, or equivalent leadership capacity Hands-on experience validating mobile devices, modem technologies, or wireless communication platforms Strong understanding of LTE technologies, signaling procedures, device connectivity, mobility management, and wireless performance analysis Working knowledge of 5G technologies and next-generation wireless architectures Proven experience working directly with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, or wireless operators to resolve technical issues Experience presenting technical findings and recommendations to customers, operators, and executive stakeholders Preferred Qualifications: Experience with non-terrestrial networks, satellite communications, or direct-to-device wireless technologies Experience supporting commercial device certification and carrier acceptance programs Familiarity with IMS, VoLTE, VoNR, SIM, and eSIM technologies Experience with test automation and scripting using Python or similar languages Experience supporting international operator deployments a