Systems Engineer – Defense Verified today
About the role
AST SpaceMobile is building the first global cellular broadband network in space to operate with standard mobile devices. We're hiring a Systems Engineer to support development and implementation of advanced communications solutions for government and defense programs.
You will support systems engineering activities across the full program lifecycle, including requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical planning. You'll work with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate complex mission needs into scalable system solutions.
Key responsibilities
- Support development and maintenance of system-level technical budgets (power, data, performance, engineering metrics)
- Define, analyze, document, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability
- Support requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities
- Develop systems engineering artifacts including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), interface documentation, verification plans, and traceability matrices
- Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support architecture and design decisions
- Collaborate with hardware, software, communications, and subsystem engineering teams for technical alignment and integration
- Support system-level design reviews and technical presentations
- Coordinate with technical leads and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and consolidate engineering data
- Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities
- Interface with customers, program leadership, and external partners on technical planning and program execution
- Contribute to proposal development, technical documentation, and solution planning for new business opportunities
- Support capability development, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, or related technical discipline
- Minimum 5 years systems engineering experience in aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or complex technical environments
- Experience supporting government, defense, space, or mission-critical programs
- Experience with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system modeling practices
- Experience supporting system integration, verification, and validation activities
- Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance
- U.S. citizenship required
Preferred qualifications
- Advanced degree
- Experience with communications, RF, wireless, satellite, or space-based systems
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools
- Experience with requirements management tools (Jama, DOORS, or equivalent)
- Experience performing system trade studies, performance analysis, and technical risk assessments
- Knowledge of RF performance analysis, communications systems, or network architectures
- Experience supporting command and control, intelligence, surveillance, communications, or mission-focused applications
- Experience supporting proposal development and technical solution planning
Tools and technologies
- Requirements management and systems engineering tools (Jama, DOORS)
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and system modeling tools
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
- Engineering analysis and simulation tools (MATLAB, Simulink, STK)
- Requirements traceability, verification, and configuration management tools
Work environment
Based in Lanham, Maryland. You'll work in a standard office environment and may travel up to 25% for customer meetings, testing, training, or program support. You may occasionally work in laboratory, integration, testing, or operational environments.