{"id":3411682,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer","title":"Principal RF 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":"A","score":89,"open_postings":245,"ghost_share":0.098,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":115,"computed_at":"2026-10-31T05:58:55Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Dallas, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":135000,"max_usd":250000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":656},"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Git","optional":true},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Microsoft Excel","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-28T16:30:30Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-28","last_verified_at":"2026-11-01T00:16:16Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":2},"description":"AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet - on land, at sea and in flight.\nPosition Overview\nWe are seeking a Principal RF Engineer to support the design, analysis, and optimization of advanced satellite-based communications systems. This role is responsible for developing RF performance models, link budgets, and coverage analyses to evaluate end-to-end network performance across space and ground segments. The Principal RF Engineer will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to assess system performance, optimize network availability, and support the development of reliable, high-capacity communications solutions. \nKey Responsibilities \nDevelop, maintain, and analyze uplink and downlink link budgets, including EIRP, G/T, path loss, atmospheric effects, antenna performance, fade margins, and system availability.\nCreate RF performance models to evaluate end-to-end communications performance under various operational and environmental conditions.\nAnalyze phased array antenna performance, including beamforming, scan loss, sidelobe behavior, coverage patterns, and beam isolation.\nEvaluate the effects of Doppler shifts, propagation delays, latency, and user device constraints on network performance and capacity.\nCollaborate with network, systems, and radio engineering teams to assess modulation, coding schemes, throughput, and overall service performance.\nDevelop and maintain feeder link analyses using industry-standard propagation models to evaluate weather impacts and network availability.\nAssess and optimize fade mitigation techniques such as adaptive coding and modulation (ACM), power control strategies, and diversity solutions.\nPerform system availability, sensitivity, and trade-off analyses to support infrastructure planning and performance optimization.\nAnalyze RF hardware impairments, including interference, phase noise, amplifier non-linearity, and other factors affecting system performance.\nDevelop simulations, analytical tools, dashboards, and reports to support engineering studies and operational assessments.\nEstablish performance requirements, validate design assumptions, and support verification activities throughout the development lifecycle.\nSupport troubleshooting efforts by developing performance baselines and assisting in root cause investigations.\nProvide technical leadership and guidance on RF system analysis, architecture trade studies, and engineering best practices. \nQualifications\nEducation\nBachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.\nMaster’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline preferred.\nRelevant industry certifications or specialized training in RF engineering, wireless communications, or satellite communications are a plus. \nExperience \nMinimum 5 years of experience in RF systems engineering, satellite communications, wireless communications, or communications link analysis.\nExperience developing and maintaining communication system link budgets and RF performance models.\nExperience working with complex RF systems and multi-segment communications architectures.\nDemonstrated experience leading technical analyses, trade studies, and cross-functional engineering initiatives.\nExperience supporting communications infrastructure deployment, optimization, or operational performance assessments. \nPreferred Qualifications \nExperience with satellite communications, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), or advanced wireless communication systems.\nFamiliarity with atmospheric propagation modeling and communications availability analysis methodologies.\nKnowledge of adaptive coding and modulation, power control systems, and diversity techniques.\nExperience with phased array antennas, beamforming architectures, and antenna calibration concepts.\nFamiliarity with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and performance validation processes.\nGraduate-level coursework or advanced education in RF engineering, communications systems, or signal processing. \nSoft Skills \nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nAbility to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.\nProven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.\nStrong organizational and project management skills.\nMeticulous attention to detail and commitment to technical accuracy.\nAbility to prioritize competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.\nSelf-motivated with a continuous learning mindset. \nTechnology Stack \nMATLAB\nPython\nRF modeling and simulation tools\nLink budget analysis software\nData analysis and visualization tools\nMicrosoft Excel\nMicrosoft PowerPoint\nStatistical modeling and reporting tools\nVersion control systems (e.g., Git)\nEngineering collaboration and documentation platforms \nPhysical Requirements \nAbility to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.\nAbility to analyze complex technical data and review detailed engineering documentation.\nAbility to participate in technical meetings, presentations, and collaborative design reviews.\nAbility to remain stationary for extended periods while performing analysis, modeling, and documentation activities. \nAdditional Requirements \nOccasional travel may be required to support engineering reviews, testing activities, or operational sites.\nAbility to lift up to 25lbs\nMust be able to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.\nAbility to manage multiple projects and technical priorities simultaneously while meeting established deadlines.\nCommitment to maintaining high standards of technical excellence, quality, and documentation accuracy.\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":6635,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Continuous learning"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Communications","Satellite Manufacturing","Mobile Networks"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-28T18:05:48Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 12 · green card filings: 3","filings_12m":12,"filings_prev_12m":2,"green_card_filings_12m":3,"median_offered_wage_usd":139833,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-29T16:27:21+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":4}],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":2,"expected_fill_days":115,"reasons":["conf:3","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-31T05:58:55Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-01T02:24:23Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":3610,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-02T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":2057930},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=2057930"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/ast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fast-spacemobile-principal-rf-engineer"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3411682}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"ast-science.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3411682},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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