Harness Manufacturing Engineer – LEO Satellite Applications
AST SpaceMobile · Midland, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at AST SpaceMobile (aerospace & defense) in Midland, TX. Manufacturing Engineering Support.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, Tooling, SolidWorks, CATIA / NX
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 128 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$126k, from 30 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 58%
- ✓ Root cause 57%
- ✓ Lean 41%
- New product launch 36%
- Automation 36%
- ✓ Six Sigma 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SolidWorks, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at AST SpaceMobile
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: AST SpaceMobile in Midland
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Full description from AST SpaceMobileAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
The Harness Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and supporting the production of electrical harnesses and cable assemblies for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite platforms. This role ensures harnesses are designed, manufactured, and tested to meet aerospace standards and mission requirements, while improving quality, repeatability, and production efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Manufacturing Engineering Support:
- ◆Develop and maintain harness assembly processes, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation (routers, travelers, and assembly drawings).
- ◆Support design-to-production handoffs by reviewing harness design schematics and layouts for manufacturability and reliability.
- ◆Define and select tooling, equipment, and materials required for harness production.
- ◆Drive improvements in harness routing, termination, and installation practices.
- ◆Production Oversight:
- ◆Provide on-the-floor support to manufacturing technicians during harness assembly, integration, and troubleshooting.
- ◆Establish and optimize assembly sequences and jigs to ensure repeatable, high-quality harness fabrication.
- ◆Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions for nonconformances.
- ◆Testing and Quality Assurance:
- ◆Develop and implement testing protocols using automated harness testers (e.g., CIRRIS or similar systems).
- ◆Ensure all assemblies comply with IPC/WHMA-A-620 and NASA/ESA workmanship standards.
- ◆Review and approve first article inspections (FAIs) and ensure compliance with aerospace quality requirements.
- ◆Process Improvement & Documentation:
- ◆Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase production efficiency and reduce cost.
- ◆Maintain configuration management of harness designs, tooling, and process documentation.
- ◆Collaborate with design engineers, quality teams, and supply chain to ensure smooth production flow.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field; or equivalent technical experience.
- ✓3+ years of experience in harness or cable assembly manufacturing for aerospace, defense, or satellite applications.
- ✓Strong understanding of harness design principles, electrical schematics, and 3D CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks).
- ✓Familiarity with industry standards: IPC/WHMA-A-620, ECSS-Q-ST-70, NASA-STD-8739.4.
- ✓Hands-on experience with crimping, soldering, wire dressing, and connectorization.
- ✓Experience with automated harness testers (CIRRIS, DIT-MCO, etc.).
- ✓Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced, high-reliability production environment.
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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AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.
Preferred Skills
- +Experience in satellite or spacecraft harness design and integration.
- +Knowledge of harness routing and design in 3D modeling software.
- +Understanding of aerospace material selection (wires, connectors, backshells, shielding, and sleeving).
- +Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.