Systems Engineer – Defense Lanham, Maryland, United States

AST & Science LLC; Lanham (MD); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile seeks a Systems Engineer to drive development and implementation of advanced communications for government and defense programs. You will lead requirements, architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical planning across the full lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in aerospace/defense/space, strong MBSE and requirements-management experience, and eligibility for a government security clearance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of systems engineering experience within aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or other complex technical environments.
• Experience with requirements management and system integration across full program lifecycles.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of system-level budgets and performance metrics.
• Define, analyze, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability.
• Conduct requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities.
• Develop and maintain CONOPS, interface docs, verification plans, and traceability matrices.
• Perform trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and subsystem teams for technical alignment.
• Contribute to system-level design reviews and technical presentations with documentation.
• Coordinate with leads and stakeholders to consolidate engineering data.
• Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities.
• Interface with customers and program leadership to support planning and execution.
• Contribute to proposals and solution planning for new business opportunities.
• Support architecture definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Structured problem-solving

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Aerospace/Computer Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Jama

DOORS

SysML modeling tools

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 Systems Engineer to support the development and implementation of advanced communications and technology solutions for government and defense-related programs. In this role, you will support systems engineering activities across the full program lifecycle, including requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical planning. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate complex mission needs into scalable system solutions while supporting business growth and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate has experience supporting defense, space, telecommunications, or other mission-critical programs and possesses a strong understanding of systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of system-level technical budgets, including power, data, performance, and other engineering metrics.
• Define, analyze, document, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability.
• Support requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities throughout the program lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), interface documentation, verification plans, and traceability matrices.
• Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support architecture and design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, communications, and subsystem engineering teams to ensure technical alignment and integration.
• Support system-level design reviews and technical presentations, including preparation of supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with technical leads and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and consolidate engineering data.
• Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities.
• Interface with customers, program leadership, and external partners to support technical planning and program execution.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical documentation, and solution planning activities for new business opportunities.
• Support capability development, architecture definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Provide systems engineering support across all phases of development and operational readiness activities.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of systems engineering experience within aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or other complex technical environments.
• Experience supporting government, defense, space, or mission-critical programs.
• Experience with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system modeling practices.
• Experience supporting system integration, verification, and validation activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with communications, RF, wireless, satellite, or space-based systems.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Experience with requirements management, system modeling, and verification tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).
• Experience performing system trade studies, performance analysis, and technical risk assessments.
• Knowledge of RF performance analysis, communications systems, or network architectures.
• Experience supporting command and control, intelligence, surveillance, communications, or other mission-focused applications.
• Experience supporting proposal development and technical solution planning.
• Prior experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or commercial space programs.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Soft Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional and multidisciplinary environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure the accuracy of technical documentation and project deliverables.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a structured approach to decision-making.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take initiative.