Senior Principal Space Systems Architect & Tech Lead

AST SpaceMobile; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join our team in Lanham, MD. This senior leadership role provides system-level authority across programs, owning architecture, setting direction, and guiding to on-orbit operations.

You will lead cross-disciplinary integration (RF, software, mechanical, electrical, GNC, operations), mentor SE leads, participate in design reviews, and support business development with basis-of-estimate inputs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering or related technical field required, Master's/PhD preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of systems engineering experience with at least 5 years in lead roles on programs of record.
• Space, satellite, or defense program experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority for systems engineering across programs and drive architecture from concept to on-orbit operations.
• Define and own system architectures, lead trade studies, and defend key technical decisions.
• Own requirements flow-down and interface control across subsystems and suppliers.
• Manage technical budgets and margins at program and constellation levels.
• Coordinate system-level integration across RF, software, mechanical, electrical, GNC, and operations.
• Provide technical leadership for proposals, basis-of-estimate, and customer engagements.
• Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and TIMs for executive audiences.
• Lead risk management and mitigation; drive risk-informed decisions.
• Evolve SE processes and mentor SE leads and engineers.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship

Risk management

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

DOORS

Jama

MATLAB/Simulink

Confluence

Jira

STK

MS Office

Job description

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join our team in Lanham, MD. This senior leadership role provides system-level authority across programs, owning architecture, setting direction, and guiding to on-orbit operations.

You will lead cross-disciplinary integration (RF, software, mechanical, electrical, GNC, operations), mentor SE leads, participate in design reviews, and support business development with basis-of-estimate inputs.