{"id":1302890,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-payload-operations-engineer-2","title":"Payload Operations 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":202,"ghost_share":0.584,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-09-27T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"junior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Barcelona, Spain"],"countries":["ES"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":30000,"max_usd":59000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":12},"experience_years_min":2,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C#","optional":true},{"name":"Confluence","optional":true},{"name":"Git","optional":true},{"name":"Java","optional":true},{"name":"Jira","optional":true},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-02-24T12:58:07Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-21","last_verified_at":"2026-09-28T05:33:03Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":215,"trust":{"level":"ghost","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale","company_stale"],"days_open":215},"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 Payload Operations Engineer to operate AST satellite payload subsystems in support of constellation service and in-orbit testing. This is an onsite, day-staff shift position supporting the AST Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs) in Barcelona, Spain, with occasional weekend, holiday, and on-call support required to provide 24x7 payload operations. The role works closely with SOC, Network Operations Center (NOC), and subsystem engineers to maintain payload health and commercial service levels, and supports development of the automated tools used to operate the payload. \nKey Responsibilities:\nSupport development of payload operations tools required for efficient, automated payload tasks.\nOperate payload tools to create all configuration items required for payload in-orbit testing (IOT) and commercial service.\nMonitor service/test automation and analyze results through evaluation of telemetry and logs.\nCoordinate payload system configuration changes as required to maintain commercial service levels.\nWork with tool developers on functionality updates and payload software updates.\nCoordinate troubleshooting with SOC, Network Operations Center (NOC), and subsystem engineers to resolve service issues.\nMonitor and process payload subsystem telemetry data to maintain subsystem state of health, including power, thermal, and RF performance.\nMaintain situational awareness of satellite, payload, and ground configuration and status.\nOperate SOC operations software tools.\nParticipate in daily shift handover briefings.\nSupport mission product development, including procedure development, test, and validation.\nSupport system readiness, planning, and preparation for satellite in-orbit milestones.\nAttend required training sessions, simulations, rehearsals, conferences, and program reviews. \nQualifications \nEducation:\nBachelor's degree in Engineering or a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field.\nExperience:\n2 plus years of relevant experience; a Master's degree or additional experience is preferred. \nPreferred Qualifications:\nExperience working with satellite communication payloads.\nMulti-satellite LEO constellation experience.\nDemonstrated ability to drive requirements for concepts of operation.\nFamiliarity with version control software, preferably Git.\nFamiliarity with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence).\nProgramming experience in at least one modern language such as Java, Python, Matlab, or C#. \nSoft Skills:\nExcellent oral and written communication skills.\nAbility to work in an environment with rapidly evolving system requirements.\nDemonstrated ability to work independently.\nTechnical understanding of satellite system architecture and subsystem functionality.\nHigh level of problem-solving capabilities.\nEnglish speaking. \nTechnology Stack:\nSOC operations software tools.\nPayload automation and telemetry analysis tools.\nEngineering analysis tools.\nVersion control systems (e.g., Git) and the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence).\nProgramming languages such as Python, Java, Matlab, or C#. \nPhysical Requirements \nAbility to work in an office and Satellite Operations Center (SOC) environment.\nAbility to participate in shift work, including occasional weekends, holidays, and on-call periods to support 24x7 operations.\nAbility to use a computer for extended periods.\nThis 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. \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":4441,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":2,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"English","level":"All levels","optional":true}]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"Spain","iso":"ES","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Telecommunications"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-26T12:21:47Z"}],"liveness":{"score":2,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.065,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":214,"expected_fill_days":20,"reasons":["conf:0","stale_co","velocity","ghost","win:tail","crowd:junior,brand"],"computed_at":"2026-09-27T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-payload-operations-engineer-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-payload-operations-engineer-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-28T05:40:28Z","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":3847,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":1153,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-29T00:00:00Z"}}}