Payload Operations Engineer

AST SpaceMobile · Lanham, MD

Apply on AST SpaceMobile ↗

Level: Engineer
Team: Production
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 2+ years
Industry: Aerospace & defense
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level production role at AST SpaceMobile (aerospace & defense) in Lanham, MD.

They ask for: 2+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 385 other live production postings in the US.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

Team leadership 42%
Lean 35%
Root cause 32%
EHS / safety 26%
New product launch 25%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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 Production 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?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Lanham

3 other open roles at this site.

Satellite Operations Engineer · Production
OSS Test & Automation Engineer · Controls
Thermal Blanket Fabrication Supervisor · Manufacturing · Supervisor

Full description from AST SpaceMobileAs posted on their careers site.Show

Key Responsibilities

◆Support development of payload operations tools required for efficient, automated payload tasks.
◆Operate payload tools to create all configuration items required for payload in-orbit testing (IOT) and commercial service.
◆Monitor service/test automation and analyze results through evaluation of telemetry and logs.
◆Coordinate payload system configuration changes as required to maintain commercial service levels.
◆Work with tool developers on functionality updates and payload software updates.
◆Coordinate troubleshooting with SOC, Network Operations Center (NOC), and subsystem engineers to resolve service issues.
◆Monitor and process payload subsystem telemetry data to maintain subsystem state of health, including power, thermal, and RF performance.
◆Maintain situational awareness of satellite, payload, and ground configuration and status.
◆Operate SOC operations software tools.
◆Participate in daily shift handover briefings.
◆Support mission product development, including procedure development, test, and validation.
◆Support system readiness, planning, and preparation for satellite in-orbit milestones.
◆Attend required training sessions, simulations, rehearsals, conferences, and program reviews.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field.

Experience

2+ years of relevant experience; a Master's degree or additional experience is preferred. Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Card holder.

Preferred Qualifications

✓Experience working with satellite communication payloads.
✓Multi-satellite LEO constellation experience.
✓Demonstrated ability to drive

requirements

for concepts of operation.

✓Familiarity with version control software, preferably Git.
✓Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence).
✓Programming experience in at least one modern language such as Java, Python, Matlab, or C#.

Requirements

✓Ability to work in an office and Satellite Operations Center (SOC) environment.
✓Ability to participate in shift work, including occasional weekends, holidays, and on-call periods to support 24x7 operations.
✓Ability to use a computer for extended periods.

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 .

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.

Show full description ↓

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.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Payload Operations Engineer to operate AST satellite payload subsystems in support of constellation service and in-orbit testing. This is an onsite, day-staff shift position supporting the AST Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs) in Lanham, MD, with occasional weekend, holiday, and on-call support required to provide 24x7 payload operations. The role works closely with SOC, Network Operations Center (NOC), and subsystem engineers to maintain payload health and commercial service levels, and supports development of the automated tools used to operate the payload.

Soft Skills

•Excellent oral and written communication skills.
•Ability to work in an environment with rapidly evolving system requirements.
•Demonstrated ability to work independently.
•Technical understanding of satellite system architecture and subsystem functionality.
•High level of problem-solving capabilities.
•Familiarity with engineering analysis tools.

Technology Stack

•SOC operations software tools.
•Payload automation and telemetry analysis tools.
•Engineering analysis tools.
•Version control systems (e.g., Git) and the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence).
•Programming languages such as Python, Java, Matlab, or C#.

Physical