Payload Operations Engineer
Apply NowCompany: AST SpaceMobile, Inc.
Location: Lanham, MD 20706
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.
Summary:
The Payload Operations Engineer performs all activities required to operate the AST satellite payload subsystems to support constellation service and in-orbit testing. This is a day-staff shift position supporting each of the AST Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs) but will also require support during some weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts in order to provide 24x7 payload support.
Duties include:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
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.
Summary:
The Payload Operations Engineer performs all activities required to operate the AST satellite payload subsystems to support constellation service and in-orbit testing. This is a day-staff shift position supporting each of the AST Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs) but will also require support during some weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts in order to provide 24x7 payload support.
Duties include:
- Support development of payload operations tools required for efficient automated payload tasks
- Operate payload tools to create all configuration items required for the payload in-orbit testing (IOT) and commercial service
- Monitor the service/test automation and analyze the results via evaluation of telemetries and logs
- Coordinate payload system configuration changes as required to maintain commercial service levels
- Work with tool developers for functionality updates and payload software updates
- Coordinate troubleshooting with SOC, Network Operations Center (NOC) and Subsystem engineers to resolve any service issues
- Monitor and process payload subsystem telemetry data to maintain payload subsystem state of health including but not limited to power, thermal, and RF performance
- Maintain situational awareness of satellite, payload, and ground configuration and status
- Operate SOC operations software tools
- Support development of automated operations tools
- Participate in daily shift handover briefings
- Support mission product development including procedure development, test, and validation
- Support system readiness, planning, and preparation for satellite in-orbit milestones
- Attend required and routine training sessions, simulations, rehearsals, conferences, and program reviews
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field
- Must be a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Card holder
- Excellent oral and written communications skills
- Ability to work in an environment with rapidly evolving system requirements
- Demonstrated ability to work independently
- Technical understanding of satellite system architecture and subsystem functionality
- High level of problem-solving capabilities
- Familiarity with engineering analysis tools
Preferred Qualifications:
- 2+ years' experience, and/or Masters degree
- Experience working with satellite communication payloads
- Multi-satellite LEO constellation experience
- Demonstrated ability to drive requirements for concepts of operation
- Familiarity with version control software, preferably Git
- Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence)
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Java, Python, Matlab, C#,
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.