{"id":1302876,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-associate-rf-system-integration-engineer","title":"Associate RF System Integration Engineer","company":{"id":2057930,"name":"AST SpaceMobile","domain":"ast-science.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/ast-science","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"C","score":65,"open_postings":203,"ghost_share":0.581,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-09-28T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"DevOps","role_family":"DevOps","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Midland, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":91000,"max_usd":203000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":2659},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-25T15:23:52Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-25","last_verified_at":"2026-09-28T22:36:25Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":2},"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.\nPosition Overview\nWe are seeking a highly hands-on Associate RF Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer to execute, integrate, test, and debug flight RF hardware supporting a fast-paced LEO satellite program at AST SpaceMobile.\nThis is a hardware-centric execution role. The selected candidate will personally build, integrate, verify, troubleshoot, and support RF systems from bench validation through launch operations. You will partner directly with TT&C and GPS design leads who own system architecture and requirements, translating released designs into robust, flight-ready hardware.\nThis is not a documentation or coordination position - it is a build, test, and fix role.\nKey Responsibilities\nRF Assembly, Integration & Test Execution\nExecute integration and verification testing for TT&C and GPS flight hardware.\nOwn hands-on integration and test of:\nFlight radios and transceivers\nFlight antennas\nRF harnessing and coaxial assemblies\nAIT RF racks and ground support equipment (GSE)\nWork directly from released schematics, ICDs, and mechanical interfaces.\nVerify RF performance margins, interface integrity, and system compliance through empirical hardware testing and data analysis.\nHands-On Manufacturing & Build Support\nPersonally drive RF hardware build, inspection, integration, and rework activities.\nFabricate, inspect, and validate:\nCoaxial cable assemblies\nConnector terminations (SMA, TNC, N-type, etc.)\nHarness routing, clamping, torque application, and strain relief implementation\nMaintain active presence on the manufacturing floor during hardware builds.\nPartner with manufacturing engineers and technicians to ensure workmanship standards.\nIdentify and arrest integration escapes, workmanship defects, and latent hardware risks before propagation.\nAIT, Test, Debug & Automation\nDesign, assemble, and sustain AIT RF racks and associated test infrastructure.\nExecute and continuously improve:\nRF functional testing\nEnd-to-end TT&C and navigation test configurations\nReturn loss, insertion loss, isolation, power output, and sensitivity measurements\nDevelop and maintain RF test automation:\nAutomate repetitive RF test sequences and structured data capture\nImprove repeatability, throughput, and configuration traceability\nSupport environmental and system-level testing including:\nThermal vacuum (TVAC)\nVibration\nThermal cycling\nSpacecraft integrated testing\nOwn RF anomaly resolution:\nDebug harness, connector, and integration defects\nIdentify workmanship-induced damage\nIsolate EMI/RFI coupling issues under schedule pressure\nWhen hardware fails during test, personally execute root cause isolation and corrective rework.\nAcceptance, Readiness & Launch Support\nExecute formal acceptance testing per released procedures and qualification requirements.\nReview test data packages, close discrepancy reports, and verify flight readiness.\nSupport launch site operations, including last-minute RF troubleshooting and configuration validation.\nWhat Winning Looks Like\nRF hardware integrates cleanly and predictably in AIT.\nIssues are identified early, debugged efficiently, and closed with permanent corrective action.\nRF systems perform consistently from bench validation → environmental test → launch → orbit.\nYou can point to the spacecraft and confidently state: “I built and tested that system.”\nQualifications\nEducation\nBS or MS in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated hands-on RF experience.\nExperience\nPractical RF experience across common TT&C frequency bands.\nDemonstrated hands-on experience with:\nRF assemblies and coax harness fabrication\nAntennas and RF subsystems\nRF test equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzer, power meters, signal generators)\nExperience supporting AIT, environmental test campaigns, and production manufacturing.\nComfortable operating in cleanroom, laboratory, and factory environments.\nProven ability to troubleshoot and close hardware issues under aggressive timelines.\nPreferred Qualifications\nDirect LEO satellite RF or TT&C integration experience.\nLaunch base or on-orbit support exposure.\nExperience supporting multiple flight vehicles in parallel.\nBackground developing automated RF test frameworks and data systems.\nSoft Skills\nHigh ownership mentality with strong bias toward execution.\nDetail-oriented while maintaining schedule awareness.\nPragmatic decision-making in ambiguous or data-limited environments.\nCollaborative across design, manufacturing, and test organizations.\nCalm and methodical under hardware anomaly pressure.\nTechnology Stack\nVector Network Analyzers (VNA)\nSpectrum Analyzers\nRF Signal Generators\nPower Meters\nRF Switching Matrices\nAutomated Test Software (Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent)\nStandard AIT data logging and configuration management tools\nPhysical Requirements\nAbility to work extended periods in cleanroom and lab environments.\nFrequent hands-on bench work requiring fine motor skills.\nAbility to lift and maneuver test equipment and RF racks (up to 40 lbs).\nWillingness to travel to launch sites as required.\nAST 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5882,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Telecommunications"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-26T12:21:47Z"}],"liveness":{"score":63,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.632,"p_room":1,"age_days":2,"expected_fill_days":21,"reasons":["conf:0","stale_co","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-09-28T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-associate-rf-system-integration-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-associate-rf-system-integration-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-29T00:42:51Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":603,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":4397,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-30T00:00:00Z"}}}