AST SpaceMobile

Delivers global satellite-based mobile broadband

Senior Principal Device Validation Engineer

Hardware Validation & TestingConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeDallas, TX, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field is required.
A minimum of 12 years of experience in mobile device validation, chipset validation, device certification, wireless testing, or device-focused field engineering is required.
A minimum of 5 years of experience serving in a senior technical lead, principal engineer, or equivalent leadership capacity is required.
Hands-on experience validating mobile devices, modem technologies, or wireless communication platforms is required.
Strong understanding of LTE technologies, signaling procedures, device connectivity, mobility management, and wireless performance analysis is required.
Working knowledge of 5G technologies and next-generation wireless architectures is required.
Proven experience working directly with chipset manufacturers, device original equipment manufacturers, or wireless operators to resolve technical issues is required.
Experience presenting technical findings and recommendations to customers, operators, and executive stakeholders is required.
Ability to work in a standard office, laboratory, and testing environment while using computers and test equipment for extended periods is required.
Ability to review technical documentation, test results, protocol logs, and engineering reports is required.
Ability to participate in customer-facing meetings, workshops, testing events, and technical reviews is required.
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing analysis, validation, and troubleshooting activities is required.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 25–35% as required to support customer engagements, operator testing, and validation activities is required.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are required.
Strong customer-facing presentation and relationship management skills are required.
Ability to communicate complex technical topics to engineering and executive audiences is required.
Ability to influence external partners and stakeholders without direct authority is required.
Strong organizational and project management capabilities are required.
Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to technical accuracy are required.
Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, highly collaborative environments is required.
Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple customers, projects, and technical teams is required.

Responsibilities

Own device validation strategy for operator onboarding programs, including device selection, test planning, certification requirements, and compatibility tracking.
Lead laboratory and field validation efforts for commercial mobile devices, including connectivity, mobility, throughput, latency, application performance, and user experience testing.
Collaborate with chipset vendors and device manufacturers to resolve device, modem, firmware, and interoperability issues.
Serve as the primary technical lead during customer workshops, testing events, device validation activities, and technical reviews.
Define device readiness criteria, acceptance standards, test methodologies, and launch requirements.
Analyze modem logs, protocol traces, radio frequency measurements, and performance data to identify root causes and resolve technical issues.
Manage the device defect lifecycle from identification through validation and resolution.
Maintain device compatibility matrices and certification documentation.
Develop and present technical reports, readiness assessments, executive summaries, and performance recommendations.
Partner with internal engineering teams to improve device performance, validation processes, and customer onboarding activities.
Support field trials, proof-of-concept programs, beta deployments, and commercial launch readiness activities.
Mentor technical teams on device behavior, performance characteristics, and troubleshooting methodologies.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline is preferred.
Experience with non-terrestrial networks, satellite communications, or direct-to-device wireless technologies is preferred.
Experience supporting commercial device certification and carrier acceptance programs is preferred.
Familiarity with IP Multimedia Subsystem, Voice over LTE, Voice over New Radio, Subscriber Identity Module, and embedded SIM technologies is preferred.
Experience with test automation and scripting using Python or similar languages is preferred.
Experience supporting international operator deployments and device certification initiatives is preferred.
Additional language skills supporting global customer engagements are preferred.

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 Sr. Principal Device Validation Engineer to lead device readiness and validation activities for direct-to-device wireless communication services. This role is responsible for ensuring commercial mobile devices operate successfully across the network by working closely with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, and mobile network operators to validate performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive device certification efforts.

The ideal candidate combines deep mobile device and modem expertise with strong customer-facing capabilities, serving as a trusted technical advisor during device validation, field testing, onboarding, and commercial launch activities.

Key Responsibilities

Own device validation strategy for operator onboarding programs, including device selection, test planning, certification requirements, and compatibility tracking
Lead laboratory and field validation efforts for commercial mobile devices, including connectivity, mobility, throughput, latency, application performance, and user experience testing
Collaborate with chipset vendors and device manufacturers to resolve device, modem, firmware, and interoperability issues
Serve as the primary technical lead during customer workshops, testing events, device validation activities, and technical reviews
Define device readiness criteria, acceptance standards, test methodologies, and launch requirements
Analyze modem logs, protocol traces, RF measurements, and performance data to identify root causes and resolve technical issues
Manage the device defect lifecycle from identification through validation and resolution
Maintain device compatibility matrices and certification documentation
Develop and present technical reports, readiness assessments, executive summaries, and performance recommendations
Partner with internal engineering teams to improve device performance, validation processes, and customer onboarding activities
Support field trials, proof-of-concept programs, beta deployments, and commercial launch readiness activities
Mentor technical teams on device behavior, performance characteristics, and troubleshooting methodologies

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
Master's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience:

Minimum 12 years of experience in mobile device validation, chipset validation, device certification, wireless testing, or device-focused field engineering
Minimum 5 years of experience serving in a senior technical lead, principal engineer, or equivalent leadership capacity
Hands-on experience validating mobile devices, modem technologies, or wireless communication platforms
Strong understanding of LTE technologies, signaling procedures, device connectivity, mobility management, and wireless performance analysis
Working knowledge of 5G technologies and next-generation wireless architectures
Proven experience working directly with chipset manufacturers, device OEMs, or wireless operators to resolve technical issues
Experience presenting technical findings and recommendations to customers, operators, and executive stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with non-terrestrial networks, satellite communications, or direct-to-device wireless technologies
Experience supporting commercial device certification and carrier acceptance programs
Familiarity with IMS, VoLTE, VoNR, SIM, and eSIM technologies
Experience with test automation and scripting using Python or similar languages
Experience supporting international operator deployments and device certification initiatives
Additional language skills supporting global customer engagements

Soft Skills:

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong customer-facing presentation and relationship management skills
Ability to communicate complex technical topics to both engineering and executive audiences
Proven ability to influence external partners and stakeholders without direct authority
Strong organizational and project management capabilities
Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to technical accuracy
Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, highly collaborative environments
Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple customers, projects, and technical teams

Technology Stack:

Device logging and protocol analysis tools
Modem diagnostics and troubleshooting platforms
Wireshark
Drive testing and network measurement tools
RF test equipment and over-the-air (OTA) validation systems
Spectrum analyzers
Channel emulators
RF shield box systems
LTE and 5G testing platforms
Open5GS or comparable core network environments
Network performance and traffic analysis tools
Python
Jira
Confluence
Data analysis and reporting tools
Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in a standard office, laboratory, and testing environment while using computers and test equipment for extended periods
Ability to review technical documentation, test results, protocol logs, and engineering reports
Ability to participate in customer-facing meetings, workshops, testing events, and technical reviews
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing analysis, validation, and troubleshooting activities
Domestic and international travel of approximately 25–35% as required to support customer engagements, operator testing, and validation activities

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.

About the Company

AST SpaceMobile

Delivers global satellite-based mobile broadband

AST SpaceMobile builds a satellite-based broadband network that can work directly with ordinary mobile devices by partnering with major mobile network operators to extend global coverage. The system uses satellites that communicate with phones through operator-backed services to provide data without relying only on terrestrial towers, with revenue coming from service agreements and data usage fees. It differentiates itself by pursuing direct-to-device satellite cellular service through collaborations with operators to reach the many unconnected subscribers worldwide. Its goal is to deliver seamless global mobile broadband coverage and close the connectivity gaps for billions of mobile users.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Midland, TX
Founded: 2017

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