Senior Lab Engineer

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.

Position Overview  

We are seeking a Senior Lab Engineer to operate and maintain acceptance-lab infrastructure, preparing test environments, installing builds, executing standardized test packs, capturing telemetry, and preserving golden configurations to support repeatable and auditable certification workflows. This role ensures all activities follow established tools, safety standards, and documentation practices. 

The Senior Lab Engineer will run scripted test cases, perform CIQ and integrity checks, log defects, manage lab equipment, and publish results and artifacts aligned with acceptance criteria, OSS integrations, and NOC handover requirements for beta cycles and commercial launches. 

This is a hands-on technical role within our satellite-cellular testing ecosystem, requiring precision, discipline, and operational excellence. Success depends on strong attention to detail, strict adherence to procedures, and the ability to work effectively with complex testing infrastructure while upholding high safety and quality standards.  

Key Responsibilities  

• Lab Infrastructure Operations & Environment Management
• Operate acceptance lab infrastructure to support certification workflows and ensure lab availability for scheduled testing activities 
• Prepare environments by configuring lab setups, verifying connectivity, and aligning systems with test requirements 
• Install builds and software releases following established procedures for version control and configuration management 
• Maintain golden configurations for lab environments to ensure repeatable baseline setups and consistent test execution 
• Manage lab equipment including servers, test devices, and measurement tools, ensuring optimal performance and availability 

Test Execution & Validation Activities 

• Execute test packs according to established procedures and acceptance criteria with comprehensive functional and performance coverage 
• Run scripted tests in automated and manual environments following standardized procedures and maintaining detailed execution logs 
• Capture telemetry and performance data during test execution for accurate collection and analysis of critical system metrics 
• Perform CIQ checks to validate system compliance with technical specifications and customer requirements 

Quality Assurance & Documentation 

• Log defects identified during testing with detailed reproduction steps, evidence, and impact assessment for effective resolution 
• Publish results and artifacts from test execution with comprehensive documentation of outcomes and certification evidence 
• Support repeatable, auditable certification workflows through consistent documentation and compliance with quality standards 
• Ensure safety compliance in all lab operations following industry standards and company policies 

Integration & Handover Support 

• Align with acceptance criteria for each test cycle ensuring validation activities meet specified requirements and quality thresholds 
• Support OSS hooks and operational support system integration points with properly formatted lab results and data 
• Support NOC handover requirements by providing test evidence, configuration documentation, and operational readiness artifacts 
• Support beta and launches through targeted testing, validation of configurations, and provision of deployment evidence 

Qualifications  

Required  

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or related technical field 
• 5+ years’ experience in telecommunications or satellite communications testing environments with hands-on lab operations 
• Demonstrated experience with test execution, lab infrastructure management, and certification processes 
• Proven track record with scripted testing, automated test execution, and defect tracking processes 

Preferred  

• Experience in satellite communications testing, particularly LEO/MEO/GEO systems and satellite-cellular integration 
• Background in acceptance testing, CIQ processes, or certification workflows at operators or equipment vendors 
• Familiarity with NOC operational procedures and OSS integration requirements 

Skills & Competencies  

• Technical & Operational Skills
• Strong understanding of test execution methodologies and lab infrastructure operations in satellite/telecom environments 
• Proficiency with telemetry collection, performance monitoring, and data analysis for network validation 
• Knowledge of configuration management, version control, and environment management in lab settings 
• Testing & Quality Assurance
• Expertise in scripted test execution, automated testing frameworks, and manual testing procedures 
• Strong defect identification, documentation, and tracking with detailed technical analysis 
• Experience with CIQ processes and acceptance testing standards in telecommunications and satellite industries 
• Documentation & Communication
• Excellent technical documentation skills for test procedures, results analysis, and certification evidence 
• Clear communication abilities for technical reporting to engineering teams and NOC personnel 
• Strong attention to detail for accurate test records and compliance documentation 

Cross-Functional Interfaces 

The Senior Lab Engineer will collaborate closely with: 

• Test Engineering Teams: For test plan implementation and validation of test procedures and acceptance criteria 
• Network Operations Center (NOC): For handover of test results and operational readiness documentation 
• Quality Assurance / Certification Teams: For compliance validation and certification evidence 
• Software Development Teams: For build installation, defect reporting, and software release validation 
• Infrastructure / DevOps Teams: For lab environment maintenance and configuration management 
• Integration Teams: For OSS integration support and downstream process alignment  

KPIs / Success Criteria  

• Test execution efficiency measured by on-time completion of test packs and adherence to testing timelines 
• Quality of test documentation including completeness of test evidence, defect reports, and certification artifacts 
• Lab infrastructure availability ensuring minimal downtime and optimal equipment performance 
• Defect identification accuracy with comprehensive reproduction steps and technical analysis 
• Configuration management compliance maintaining accurate golden configurations and environment baselines 
• NOC handover success rate measured by acceptance of test results and readiness artifacts  

Tools / Standards / Methods  

• Test Management & Execution: Industry-standard test case management systems and automated test execution frameworks 
• Defect Tracking & Management: Established defect tracking platforms and bug reporting systems 
• Telemetry & Monitoring: Network monitoring tools, performance analysis platforms, and data collection systems 
• Configuration Management: Version control systems and environment management platforms 
• Safety & Compliance Standards: Industry safety standards and testing protocols for satellite communications environments 

Physical Requirements  

• Role will be based out of US 
• Occasional travel for equipment installation and cross-site testing coordination (~10-20%) 
• Ability to work in lab environments with technical equipment following safety protocols 

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.