Senior Lab Engineer

astspacemobile; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Sr. Lab Infrastructure Operations Engineer to run and maintain acceptance labs supporting certification workflows.

The role involves configuring environments, installing builds, and managing lab equipment to ensure repeatable, auditable test execution. The candidate will execute test packs, capture telemetry data, perform CIQ checks, and document outcomes to meet customer requirements and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a technical field.
• 5+ years in telecom or satellite testing with hands-on lab operations.
• Experience with test execution, lab infrastructure management, and certification processes.
• Proven track record with scripted/ automated testing and defect tracking.
• Familiarity with NOC operations and OSS integration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate acceptance lab infrastructure and ensure lab availability for testing activities.
• Configure lab environments and align systems with test requirements.
• Install builds and software releases following version control procedures.
• Maintain golden configurations for repeatable lab setups.
• Manage lab equipment including servers, test devices, and tools.
• Execute test packs with comprehensive functional and performance coverage.
• Run scripted tests in automated and manual environments and maintain logs.
• Capture telemetry and performance data for system metrics.

Skills

Lab operations

Test execution

Scripted testing

Telemetry data analysis

Configuration management

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related

Job description

Position Overview

AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet - on land, at sea and in flight.

Key Responsibilities

Lab Infrastructure Operations & Environment Management

Operate acceptance lab infrastructure to support certification workflows and ensure lab availability for scheduled testing activities

Prepare environments by configuring lab setups, verifying connectivity, and aligning systems with test requirements

Install builds and software releases following established procedures for version control and configuration management

Maintain golden configurations for lab environments to ensure repeatable baseline setups and consistent test execution

Manage lab equipment including servers, test devices, and measurement tools, ensuring optimal performance and availability

Test Execution & Validation Activities

Execute test packs according to established procedures and acceptance criteria with comprehensive functional and performance coverage

Run scripted tests in automated and manual environments following standardized procedures and maintaining detailed execution logs

Capture telemetry and performance data during test execution for accurate collection and analysis of critical system metrics

Perform CIQ checks to validate system compliance with technical specifications and customer requirements

Quality Assurance & Documentation

Log defects identified during testing with detailed reproduction steps, evidence, and impact assessment for effective resolution

Publish results and artifacts from test execution with comprehensive documentation of outcomes and certification evidence

Support repeatable, auditable certification workflows through consistent documentation and compliance with quality standards

Ensure safety compliance in all lab operations following industry standards and company policies

Integration & Handover Support

Align with acceptance criteria for each test cycle ensuring validation activities meet specified requirements and quality thresholds

Support OSS hooks and operational support system integration points with properly formatted lab results and data

Support NOC handover requirements by providing test evidence, configuration documentation, and operational readiness artifacts

Support beta and launches through targeted testing, validation of configurations, and provision of deployment evidence

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or related technical field

5+ years' experience in telecommunications or satellite communications testing environments with hands‑on lab operations

Demonstrated experience with test execution, lab infrastructure management, and certification processes

Proven track record with scripted testing, automated test execution, and defect tracking processes

Preferred

Experience in satellite communications testing, particularly LEO/MEO/GEO systems and satellite‑cellular integration

Background in acceptance testing, CIQ processes, or certification workflows at operators or equipment vendors

Familiarity with NOC operational procedures and OSS integration requirements

Skills & Competencies

Technical & Operational Skills

Strong understanding of test execution methodologies and lab infrastructure operations in satellite/telecom environments

Proficiency with telemetry collection, performance monitoring, and data analysis for network validation

Knowledge of configuration management, version control, and environment management in lab settings

Testing & Quality Assurance

Expertise in scripted test execution, automated testing frameworks, and manual testing procedures

Strong defect identification, documentation, and tracking with deta