High Speed Systems Engineer Lead

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 an experienced High Speed Systems Engineer Lead to lead the design, development, and integration of advanced high-speed electronic systems for next-generation satellite and telecommunications platforms. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with technical leadership responsibilities, driving architecture decisions, mentoring engineering teams, and ensuring successful delivery of complex hardware systems throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of high-speed multilayer PCBs with controlled impedance.
• Define system architecture for high-speed digital and mixed-signal platforms.
• Lead the development of high-speed interfaces including DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, and SerDes technologies.
• Drive signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and RF design reviews.
• Oversee schematic design, PCB layout activities, and stack-up definition.
• Perform and supervise signal integrity, power integrity, and RF simulations.
• Lead hardware validation, testing, debugging, and root cause analysis activities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to hardware engineering teams.
• Coordinate activities across FPGA, RF, embedded software, mechanical, and systems engineering teams.
• Support project planning, technical risk assessment, and resource allocation.
• Review technical documentation and ensure compliance with engineering standards and best practices.
• Support manufacturing, product qualification, and production ramp-up activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across hardware development processes.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree is considered a strong advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in high-speed hardware and systems engineering.
• Proven experience leading technical projects and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Extensive experience with high-speed digital design and complex PCB development.
• Strong knowledge of signal integrity, power integrity, and transmission line theory.
• Experience with high-speed protocols including PCIe, Ethernet, DDR, and SerDes.
• Experience in system integration, validation, and troubleshooting of complex electronic platforms.
• Hands-on laboratory experience using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, and related test equipment.
• Experience working in satellite, aerospace, telecommunications, or other highly regulated industries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading hardware development teams.
• RF design experience in the GHz frequency range.
• Experience with satellite communications systems.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based architectures and embedded systems.
• Experience with EMC/EMI compliance testing and certification.
• Experience using simulation tools such as HyperLynx, ADS, HFSS, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of product lifecycle management and systems engineering methodologies.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to make technical decisions in complex and fast-paced environments.
• Strategic thinking combined with a hands-on engineering approach.

Technology Stack

• Altium Designer.
• Cadence Design Systems.
• HyperLynx.
• ADS (Advanced Design System).
• HFSS.
• Oscilloscopes.
• Spectrum Analyzers.
• Vector Network Analyzers (VNA).
• Signal Integrity and Power Integrity Analysis Tools.
• PCB Design and Simulation Software.
• Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to work safely in laboratory environments using advanced electronic test equipment.
• Ability to support hardware integration, testing, and validation activities.
• May require occasional travel to customer sites, manufacturing facilities, and test locations.
• Ability to handle electronic hardware and laboratory equipment as required.

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.