Director, Communications Technology

astspacemobile; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Director of Communications Technology to lead the technical direction of our satellite communications systems supporting defense and government customers.

This role owns the technical strategy for ground gateways, direct to device cellular and space-based communications network infrastructure, drives architecture and trade study efforts, and serves as a senior technical voice with customers, partners, and internal leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or higher in electrical, systems, aerospace engineering (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years in communications development and technology.
• Strong background in satellite gateway systems and architectures.
• Strong background in cellular systems and network infrastructure (RAN, core).
• Experience leading architecture development and trade studies for complex systems.
• Expert RF analysis skills (link budgets, spectrum/interference, propagation).
• Proven systems engineering across requirements, design, integration, verification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of satellite gateway systems and D2D cellular and space-based network infrastructure for defense missions.
• Direct trade studies evaluating satellite, gateway, and handset options against mission requirements, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Provide expert RF guidance across link budgets, spectrum usage, interference, and propagation considerations.
• Own systems engineering rigor across requirements definition, functional allocation, verification, and integration.
• Drive CONOPS development with mission stakeholders to align solutions with operational needs.
• Support mission development translating customer objectives into technical requirements and concepts.
• Build, lead, and mentor a team of communications and RF engineers; foster technical excellence.
• Establish engineering best practices, reviews, and standards across the discipline.
• Serve as primary technical contact with government/defense customers; articulate capabilities and roadmap.

Skills

Leadership

RF analysis

Systems engineering

Satellite gateway

CONOPS development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

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

We are seeking a Director of Communications Technology to lead the technical direction of our satellite communications systems supporting defense and government customers. This role owns the technical strategy for ground gateways, direct to device cellular and space-based communications network infrastructure, drives architecture and trade study efforts, and serves as a senior technical voice with customers, partners, and internal leadership. The ideal candidate combines expert-level cellular and satellite communications systems knowledge with proven experience building and mentoring high-performing engineering teams. The candidate should understand mission requirements and translate this to architectures, CONOPS, and technical solutions. The candidate must be comfortable translating complex technical tradeoffs into clear guidance for both engineers and decision-makers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of satellite gateway systems and direct-to-device cellular and space-based network infrastructure supporting defense communications missions, with special knowledge of cellular infrastructure including baseband units, core networks, and satellite gateways.
• Direct trade studies to evaluate satellite, gateway, and handset architecture options, technology choices, and system tradeoffs against mission requirements, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Provide expert-level RF analysis and guidance across link budgets, spectrum utilization, interference, and propagation considerations.
• Own systems engineering rigor across requirements definition, functional allocation, verification, and integration for communications subsystems.
• Drive CONOPS (Concept of Operations) development in partnership with mission stakeholders to ensure technical solutions align with operational needs.
• Support mission development activities, translating customer mission objectives into technical requirements and system concepts.
• Build, lead, and grow a team of communications and RF engineers, fostering technical excellence and professional development.
• Mentor engineers at varying experience levels, cultivating technical judgment, ownership, and career growth.
• Establish engineering best practices, review processes, and technical standards across the communications technology discipline.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact with government and defense customers, representing AST SpaceMobile Defense's technical capabilities and roadmap.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including customers, program leadership, and executive stakeholders.
• Support proposal development, technical reviews, and customer down-selects with well-reasoned architecture and trade study documentation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with program management, business development, and the broader AST SpaceMobile engineering organization.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in communications development and technology.
• Strong background in satellite gateway systems and architectures.
• Strong background in cellular systems and network infrastructure (RAN, core network, and related standards).
• Demonstrated experience leading architecture development and trade studies for complex communications systems.
• Expert-level RF analysis skills (link budgets, spectrum/interference analysis, antenna and propagation considerations).
• Proven systems engineering experience across the full lifecycle (requirements, design, integration, verification).
• Experience developing CONOPS and supporting mission development for government or defense customers.
• Track record of building, leading, and mentoring engineering teams.
• Expert-level experience in communications engineering broadly, with the credibility to serve as a senior technical authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for Direct-to-Device (D2D) architectures.
• Prior experience supporting DoD, intelligence community, or other government/defense customers.
• Familiarity with space-based communications, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), or hybrid satellite-cellular systems.
• Active or ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.

Soft Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage effecti