SAT Ops Process Engineer

Employer 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.

Position Overview 

We are seeking a Sat Ops Process Designer to join our Telco Program Management Office (PMO) and design the processes that take AST SpaceMobile satellites from launch into service and keep them serving our mobile network operator (MNO) partners. In this role, you will own process design for satellite commissioning, service pass planning and requests, payload operations, and the handoffs between satellite constellation operations and Telco teams.

This position works with satellite constellation operations, mission planning and flight dynamics, payload operations, Telco engineering, service delivery, and service assurance. You will define how satellites are commissioned and accepted into service, how beamforming service passes are requested, prioritized, and scheduled, how payload and command-and-control procedures are documented and automated, and how satellite events reach the network operations center.

This role directly influences commissioning speed, service pass reliability, and the coverage that gates each staged network release. Success requires an understanding of satellite operations, structured process design skills, and close collaboration with operations and engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities 

Commissioning & Service Entry (20%)

• Design processes for satellite commissioning from launch into service, including acceptance evidence
• Define satellite ground test and prelaunch end-to-end test procedures with operations teams

Service Pass Planning (25%)

• Design processes for service pass requests, prioritization, allocation, and scheduling across MNO partners and test campaigns
• Define automated request flows for tests, including IoT tests, with digital platforms teams
• Define how coverage milestones are tracked against staged network release requirements

Payload & Command Operations (20%)

• Standardize payload operations and command-and-control procedures across operations centers
• Define handoffs for the automation of control and payload operations

Operations Handoffs (15%)

• Define handoffs between satellite operations and the network operations center for events, anomalies, and maintenance
• Design change and maintenance window coordination with service assurance

Process Assets & Governance (10%)

• Maintain satellite operations workstreams, activities, RACI, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the process playbook
• Keep procedures current as the constellation grows

Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Measure commissioning cycle time, pass success rate, and procedure adherence, and drive improvements
• Translate processes into requirements for automation and mission planning tools

Qualifications 

Education 

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field
• Process improvement training preferred

Experience 

• Minimum 4+ years in satellite operations, mission operations, or process design in aerospace or telecommunications
• Experience with satellite commissioning, mission planning, or payload operations
• Experience working with operations and engineering teams across sites

Required Technical Expertise 

• Understanding of satellite operations, including commissioning, flight dynamics, and payload operations
• Understanding of satellite pass planning and scheduling
• Experience writing operating procedures and checklists for critical operations
• Experience with Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and process modeling
• Understanding of operational change and anomaly management
• Strong technical writing skills

Project Management & Technical Leadership Skills

• Structured, detail-oriented thinking
• Clear writing and documentation
• Strong facilitation with operations and engineering teams
• Strong project tracking and reporting capabilities
• Effective collaboration across satellite operations, Telco engineering, and service assurance

Technology Stack

• Experience with process modeling tools (Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart) and Confluence
• Familiarity with mission planning tools, Jira, and Smartsheet

Physical Requirements 

• Based in Dallas, TX or Lanham, MD, with approximately 20% travel
• Ability to work in network operations centers, data centers, and technical testing facilities
• Coordination across global time zones for international vendor relationships and partner network integration

Benefits & Perks

At AST, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Company-Paid Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Company-Paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
• Career Growth and Development Opportunities

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.