Associate Flight Assurance Manufacturing Engineer

AST SpaceMobile; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard mobile devices. We seek an Associate Flight Assurance Engineer to develop and improve mission assurance processes across space system lifecycles.

You will assess concepts for reliability and safety, conduct risk analyses, and prepare assurance plans. You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure flight hardware compliance and readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or systems engineering (or related discipline) or equivalent experience.
• 0–3 years in flight/mission assurance, quality engineering, or reliability engineering in aerospace/manufacturing.
• Proficient with MS Office and familiarity with risk analysis and reliability modeling tools.

Responsibilities

• Assess new product concepts for reliability, safety, and compliance with mission assurance standards; advise Engineering/Program teams.
• Develop and implement mission assurance methods to meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements while supporting schedules and costs.
• Conduct risk assessments, FMEA analyses, and proof-of-concept studies to validate design integrity and readiness.
• Prepare and maintain assurance plans, risk mitigation strategies, and compliance reports.
• Continuously improve mission assurance practices using industry standards to enhance reliability and reduce risk.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective actions for anomalies in design, manufacturing, or test phases.
• Participate in or lead initiatives related to safety, quality improvement, and process optimization.
• Ensure qualification and verification of new or modified products through rigorous assurance processes to completion.

Skills

Flight assurance

Reliability engineering

Risk analysis

FMEA

MS Office

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

8 years of equivalent experience

Tools

Windchill

Arena

FMEA software

Reliability modeling tools

PLM systems

Job 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

The Associate Flight Assurance Engineer will assist in developing, evaluating, and improving mission assurance processes and practices to ensure product reliability, compliance, and quality throughout the lifecycle of space systems and components. This role supports design, manufacturing, and test activities to ensure the safety, functionality, and performance of flight hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess new product concepts and designs for reliability, safety, and compliance with mission assurance standards; provide recommendations to Engineering and Program teams.
• Develop and implement mission assurance methods and processes to meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements while supporting program schedules and cost objectives.
• Conduct risk assessments, failure mode analyses, and proof-of-concept studies to validate design integrity and operational readiness.
• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation, including assurance plans, risk mitigation strategies, and compliance reports.
• Continuously improve mission assurance practices using industry standards and methodologies (e.g., FMEA, FRACAS, Six Sigma) to enhance reliability and reduce risk.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective actions for anomalies in design, manufacturing, or test phases.
• Participate in or lead initiatives related to safety, quality improvement, and process optimization.
• Ensure qualification and verification of new or modified products through rigorous assurance processes to completion.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline OR 8 years of equivalent experience.

Experience

• 0-3 years in flight/mission assurance, quality engineering, or reliability engineering within aerospace or manufacturing environments.
• Proficient with MS Office and familiarity with tools for risk analysis and reliability modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of quality standards (AS9100, NASA/DoD requirements), risk management processes, and mission assurance methodologies.
• Experience with reliability analysis tools or systems engineering tools.
• Exposure to aerospace hardware development, testing, or manufacturing environments.

Soft Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare technical reports and assurance documentation.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Proven capability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented, analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills.

Technology Stack

• MS Office Suite
• Risk and reliability analysis tools (e.g., FMEA software, reliability modeling tools)
• PLM or document control systems (e.g., Windchill, Arena)
• Data analysis or visualization tools (preferred)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment.
• Ability to use a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional support in lab or manufacturing environments may be 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.