{"id":3464911,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-spacemobile-senior-lab-manager","title":"RAN Deployment 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":93,"open_postings":235,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.098,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":119,"computed_at":"2026-11-03T05:54:40Z"}},"role":"DevOps","role_family":"DevOps","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Lanham, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":85000,"max_usd":169000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":1015},"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-02-21T01:00:36Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-30","last_verified_at":"2026-11-03T06:21:25Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":255,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":255},"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 RAN Deployment Engineer to lead MNO lab coordination, ensuring that schedules, configurations, templates, ATP plans, network integrity checks, and UE probe/device validation all meet commercial-ready standards across operators and regions. This role orchestrates end-to-end lab activities across multiple mobile network operators and geographic markets, ensuring that all validation processes, acceptance criteria, and deployment-readiness standards are executed consistently and to commercial-grade specifications. \nThe RAN Deployment Engineer will oversee vendor and operator test plans, govern requests to internal RAN elements and interfaces, manage feature regression testing, enforce integrity checks to reduce rework, and drive timely acceptance sign-offs across multi-market deployments. This role ensures persistence targets, KPI expectations, and commercial-readiness criteria are met while maintaining the highest standards of network validation. \nOperating at the intersection of satellite technology and global telecommunications infrastructure, this position requires both technical precision and operational excellence in lab management. Success demands balancing rigorous validation standards with aggressive commercial deployment timelines, while managing complex stakeholder relationships across MNOs, vendors, and internal engineering teams. \nKey Responsibilities \nLab Coordination & Governance \nLead MNO lab coordination across operators and regions, aligning lab schedules, configurations, and test templates to support commercial-ready deployments and ensure consistent validation standards. \nOversee vendor and operator test plans within the lab environment, ensuring test scenarios, system configurations, and success criteria are clearly defined, traceable to requirements, and aligned with production deployment specifications. \nGovern lab activities involving validation of internal and external interfaces, ensuring standardized call flows, clear prioritization, and disciplined execution while maintaining structured workflows and change-control processes. \nManage synchronization between lab activities and production activations to minimize operational risk and avoid deployment conflicts. \nImplement and enforce standardized lab processes, documentation practices, and change-control mechanisms to ensure repeatability, auditability, and compliance with internal and partner standards across all testing environments. \nNetwork Integrity, Validation & Rework Reduction \nEnsure ATP plans, network integrity checks, and UE validation are designed and executed to meet commercial-ready criteria across operators and regions, maintaining rigorous quality standards throughout the validation lifecycle. \nReduce rework by implementing comprehensive integrity checks and pre-validation routines prior to activation, including configuration-consistency verification, regression-testing protocols, and validation of critical performance indicators. \nDrive timely acceptance sign-offs across multimarket deployments, ensuring all test evidence, defect resolutions, and change documentation are complete and approved by relevant stakeholders within the required timelines. \nAchieve persistence targets through proactive risk management, systematic issue resolution, and continuous process-improvement initiatives that minimize delays and support sustained deployment success. \nEstablish and maintain robust defect-tracking and follow-up processes for lab-identified issues, coordinating resolution with vendors, internal engineering teams, and MNO technical groups to ensure timely closure. \nMultimarket Deployment Support \nEnable deployments by coordinating lab readiness and test execution to support simultaneous or staggered rollouts across multiple labs and regions, ensuring market-specific configurations, frequency plans, and feature sets are thoroughly validated prior to commercial launch. \nAlign lab test coverage with deployment roadmaps so high-risk scenarios, new features, and satellite-terrestrial integration changes are comprehensively validated in controlled lab environments before field activation. \nSupport post-deployment validation by applying lab learnings, standardized templates, and validated test assets to ensure a smooth transition from lab to production environments. \nStakeholder Management & Communication \nAct as the central point of contact for all lab-related activities with MNO technical teams, internal engineering, NOC, and vendor partners, ensuring clear communication and coordinated execution. \nProvide regular status updates on lab activities, ATP progress, identified risks, and acceptance timelines to internal leadership and external partners as appropriate. \nFacilitate cross-functional reviews of ATPs, network-integrity criteria, and acceptance outcomes to ensure shared understanding, alignment, and consistent decision-making across all validation stakeholders. \nQualifications \nRequired \nBachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field \n8-12 years of experience in telecommunications or satellite-communications environments, with hands-on involvement in lab operations, system integration, or validation activities. \nDemonstrated experience coordinating or managing MNO or carrier-grade lab environments, including RAN, core network, and end-to-end service-validation workflows. \nProven track record working with multi-vendor test plans and acceptance processes for network features, software releases, or new-service deployments. \n5+ years of experience in laboratory management or technical validation leadership roles within telecom or satellite-communications settings. \nExperience supporting large-scale lab environments, multi-market validation programs, and cross-functional system-integration initiatives. \nPreferred \nExperience in satellite communications, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), or hybrid satellite-terrestrial integration projects with mobile network operators (MNOs). \nPrior responsibility for lab management or technical leadership in an operator, satellite provider, network vendor, or systems integrator environment \nFamiliarity with ATP processes and acceptance frameworks used by Tier1 MNOs and global satellite operators \nSkills & Competencies \nTechnical & Domain Skills \nStrong understanding of mobile network architecture (RAN, transport, core) and associated lab/testing workflows commonly used for network validation and acceptance \nProficiency in RAN and device testing, including feature-level validation, performance verification, and probe-driven testing methods used in carrier-grade network acceptance. \nComprehensive knowledge of change management, configuration management, and test lifecycle management processes in telecommunications environments \nLeadership & Coordination \nAbility to lead cross-functional lab coordination with MNOs, internal teams, and vendors, driving alignment on schedules, configurations, and acceptance criteria \nStrong organizational skills to manage multiple concurrent lab activities, markets, and partner demands while serving as the central point of communication \nAnalytical & Problem Solving \nStructured approach to identifying, reproducing, and documenting issues uncovered during lab validation activities \nFocus on rework reduction through proactive integrity checks and preventive validation measures that ensure first-time deployment success time deployment success \nCommunication & Stakeholder Engagement \nClear, concise communication skills for both technical and nontechnical audiences across multiple organizational levels \nAbility to influence stakeholders to adhere to agreed templates, processes, and signoff criteria while maintaining collaborative relationships \nCross Functional Interfaces \nThe Senior Lab Manager will collaborate closely with: \nNetwork Operations Center (NOC): For coordination of activation timing, production readiness checks, and rollback strategies \nSchedulers / PMO: For alignment of lab timelines with deployment and commercial launch schedules \nMNO Technical Teams: For alignment on ATP content, lab access requirements, configurations, and final acceptance signoffs \nVendors / OEMs: For coordination of vendor test plans, software deliveries, and resolution of lab identified issues \nInternal Engineering / Integration Teams: For definition of network integrity checks, lab configuration baselines, and defect triage processes \nQuality / Process Management: For governance of BPMS requests, documentation standards, and adherence to standardized validation processes \nKPIs / Success Criteria \nOntime completion of ATPs and lab test cycles aligned to deployment and commercial launch schedules \nReduction in rework or post activation issues attributable to lab validated features, configurations, or deployment processes \nPercentage of multimarket deployments achieving timely acceptance signoff according to established timelines and quality criteria \nAchievement of persistence targets through consistent delivery of validation milestones and sustained deployment success rates. \nAdherence to lab processes and BPMS governance, including change requests processed correctly and according to schedule \nStakeholder satisfaction (MNOs, NOC, internal engineering, and vendors) with lab coordination quality, responsiveness, and delivery excellence \nTools / Standards / Methods \nLab & Test Management: Utilization of industry standard testcase and defect tracking platforms (e.g., test management systems, issue trackers) to manage ATPs, test execution, and acceptance evidence documentation \nNetwork Validation Methods: Implementation of UE probe-based testing, KPI monitoring, and regression testing techniques to validate network integrity before activation \nProcess & Governance: Application of Business Process Management Systems (BPMS) or equivalent workflow tools to log, track, and approve lab requests and configuration changes \nStandards Alignment: Familiarity with 3GPPbased mobile network standards and general operator acceptance practices relevant to LTE/5G and satellite-terrestrial integration environments \nPhysical Requirements \nRole will be based out of US \nRegular travel for MNO lab coordination, vendor meetings, and multisite validation activities (~40%) \nAbility to support lab escalations across global time zones including occasional off hours support for critical validation activities and deployment windows \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":11468,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"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":["Satellite Communications","Satellite Manufacturing","Mobile Networks"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-29T15:06:49Z"}],"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":1}],"liveness":{"score":20,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.698,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":255,"expected_fill_days":119,"reasons":["conf:3","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-03T05:54:40Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-spacemobile-senior-lab-manager","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-spacemobile-senior-lab-manager.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-03T07:00:44Z","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":9846,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-04T00:00:00Z"}},"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-senior-lab-manager"},{"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-senior-lab-manager"},{"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-senior-lab-manager"},{"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-senior-lab-manager\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fast-spacemobile-senior-lab-manager"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3464911}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"ast-science.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3464911},"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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