Director, Lab & Field Validation – Telco Systems

AST SpaceMobile; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Director of Lab and Field Validation to lead our validation program and ensure service readiness of complex telecommunications solutions before deployment. You will design labs that mirror real network conditions and oversee end-to-end validation across multiple domains.

You will define test plans, set release criteria, and provide Go/No-Go decisions while mentoring cross-functional teams across software, hardware, and infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15+ years in telecommunications, satellite communications, wireless networks, or related fields.
• At least 5+ years managing highly technical teams in a complex engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and operation of lab environments that replicate real-world network ecosystems.
• Oversee end-to-end validation activities across multiple network domains.
• Define and execute validation strategies, including test plans, test cases, and automation frameworks.
• Establish and enforce release acceptance criteria and validation standards.
• Provide Go/No-Go recommendations for new features, configurations, and releases based on validation outcomes.
• Ensure repeatability, consistency, and auditability of validation processes and results.
• Reproduce and analyze complex field issues in controlled lab environments for root-cause analysis.
• Collaborate with engineering and development teams to provide validated feedback and drive continuous improvement.
• Build, lead, and mentor cross-functional teams across software, hardware, and infrastructure disciplines.
• Promote a strong validation culture as a critical release gate.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Prioritization

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Systems Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering Management or related field

Tools

Test automation frameworks

Lab infrastructure tools

Performance analysis tools

Job description

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Director of Lab and Field Validation to lead our validation program and ensure service readiness of complex telecommunications solutions before deployment. You will design labs that mirror real network conditions and oversee end-to-end validation across multiple domains.

You will define test plans, set release criteria, and provide Go/No-Go decisions while mentoring cross-functional teams across software, hardware, and infrastructure.