Systems Engineer, Operations Automation

AST SpaceMobile; Tysons (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile in Tysons, Virginia, is seeking a Systems Engineer, Operations Automation to architect system-level requirements for spacecraft bus autonomy. This role requires a minimum of 5 years of software or systems engineering experience, ideally within spacecraft, satellite, or complex real-time systems.

The successful candidate will need strong cross-functional leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and a deep understanding of systems integration and autonomy. The position offers opportunities to work at the forefront of global cellular broadband technology.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of software and/or systems engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience defining and implementing automation or autonomy.
• Experience with spacecraft or satellite operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Architect and write system-level requirements for spacecraft bus autonomy.
• Define requirements for fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR).
• Specify interfaces and coordination between flight software and ground software.

Skills

Strong cross-functional leadership

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Systems thinking

Attention to detail

Ability to prioritize competing demands

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, Computer, or Software Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Python

C/C++

Satellite command-and-control software

Telemetry analysis 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, Operations Automation to architect and write the system-level requirements for spacecraft bus autonomy. Working at the intersection of flight software (FSW), ground software (GSW), fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR), and the various bus subsystems, the role defines the concept of operations (ConOps), autonomy requirements, and cross-subsystem interfaces that enable reliable, scalable, and increasingly automated operations. Rather than owning any individual subsystem, the engineer integrates across subsystem owners and partners with the software and operations teams to ensure a coherent, well-defined approach to operational autonomy as the fleet grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and write system-level requirements for spacecraft bus autonomy, translating operational needs into clear, verifiable requirements across subsystems.
• Define requirements and concepts for fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR), including automated error detection, fail‑over, and on‑board recovery flows, in coordination with the responsible subsystem owners.
• Define the concept of operations (ConOps) for automated on‑board and ground operations, reducing manual, in‑the‑loop intervention and enabling operations to scale as the fleet grows.
• Specify the interfaces and coordination between flight software (FSW) and ground software (GSW) required to deliver end‑to‑end operational autonomy.
• Define system‑level requirements for automated on‑board sequences and routines that span multiple subsystems.
• Support verification and validation of autonomy behaviors against the defined requirements.
• Coordinate across all subsystem owners to ensure consistent systems definition and integrated, automated operations.
• Serve as the systems‑level point of integration across flight software (FSW), ground software (GSW), FDIR, and the various bus subsystems, ensuring consistent definition and clean interfaces.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, Computer, or Software Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of software and/or systems engineering experience, preferably with spacecraft, satellite, or other complex real‑time systems, including hands‑on experience defining and implementing software‑based automation or autonomy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with satellite or spacecraft operations, including ground‑segment automation.
• Software background, with hands‑on experience developing or specifying flight software (FSW) and/or ground software (GSW).
• Experience architecting and writing requirements for spacecraft or vehicle autonomy.
• Experience authoring ConOps and leading systems definition across multiple subsystems and teams.
• Working knowledge of fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) and closed‑loop control.
• Breadth across multiple spacecraft disciplines and subsystems, with the ability to integrate autonomy at the system level.

Soft Skills

• Strong cross‑functional leadership, with a proven ability to drive alignment across multiple subsystem owners and teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong systems thinking, with meticulous attention to detail and operational rigor.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment and prioritize across competing demands.

Technology Stack

• Software development and scripting languages (e.g., Python, C/C++).
• Satellite command‑and‑control and ground‑system software.
• Telemetry analysis and data visualization tools.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to support critical operations activities, including occasional off‑hours, as needed.

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.

AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.