Systems Engineer – Defense

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 Systems Engineer to support the development and implementation of advanced communications and technology solutions for government and defense-related programs. In this role, you will support systems engineering activities across the full program lifecycle, including requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical planning. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate complex mission needs into scalable system solutions while supporting business growth and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate has experience supporting defense, space, telecommunications, or other mission-critical programs and possesses a strong understanding of systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of system-level technical budgets, including power, data, performance, and other engineering metrics.
• Define, analyze, document, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability.
• Support requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities throughout the program lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), interface documentation, verification plans, and traceability matrices.
• Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support architecture and design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, communications, and subsystem engineering teams to ensure technical alignment and integration.
• Support system-level design reviews and technical presentations, including preparation of supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with technical leads and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and consolidate engineering data.
• Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities.
• Interface with customers, program leadership, and external partners to support technical planning and program execution.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical documentation, and solution planning activities for new business opportunities.
• Support capability development, architecture definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Provide systems engineering support across all phases of development and operational readiness activities.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of systems engineering experience within aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or other complex technical environments.
• Experience supporting government, defense, space, or mission-critical programs.
• Experience with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system modeling practices.
• Experience supporting system integration, verification, and validation activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with communications, RF, wireless, satellite, or space-based systems.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Experience with requirements management, system modeling, and verification tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).
• Experience performing system trade studies, performance analysis, and technical risk assessments.
• Knowledge of RF performance analysis, communications systems, or network architectures.
• Experience supporting command and control, intelligence, surveillance, communications, or other mission-focused applications.
• Experience supporting proposal development and technical solution planning.
• Prior experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or commercial space programs.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Soft Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional and multidisciplinary environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure the accuracy of technical documentation and project deliverables.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a structured approach to decision-making.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to coordinate large teams and drive alignment across stakeholders.

Technology Stack

• Requirements management and systems engineering tools (Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and system modeling tools.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
• Engineering analysis and simulation tools (MATLAB, Simulink, STK, or equivalent).
• Requirements traceability, verification, and configuration management tools.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to review technical documentation, diagrams, engineering drawings, and system data.
• Ability to participate in meetings, presentations, and collaborative engineering reviews.
• Ability to travel up to 25% as required for customer meetings, testing activities, training, or program support.
• May occasionally work in laboratory, integration, testing, or operational environments.

Additional Requirements

• Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance required.
• U.S. citizenship required due to government contract requirements.

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.