What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior RAN/RF Planning and Optimization Engineer (Satellite to Cellular Networks) position at AST SpaceMobile?
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior RAN/RF Planning and Optimization Engineer to support the organization’s satellite-to-cellular network initiatives. This role focuses on RF planning, performance optimization, and cross-domain integration across 4G LTE and 5G NR networks. The ideal candidate will play a key role in validating network performance from lab to field, aligning with mobile network operator (MNO) standards, and ensuring readiness for launch across satellite and terrestrial interfaces.
Key Responsibilities:
Education:
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related field.
Experience:
Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
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.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior RAN/RF Planning and Optimization Engineer to support the organization’s satellite-to-cellular network initiatives. This role focuses on RF planning, performance optimization, and cross-domain integration across 4G LTE and 5G NR networks. The ideal candidate will play a key role in validating network performance from lab to field, aligning with mobile network operator (MNO) standards, and ensuring readiness for launch across satellite and terrestrial interfaces.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support RAN subsystem integration across satellite and terrestrial interfaces.
- Conduct RF analysis, cell parameter tuning, and interference resolution.
- Perform Layer 1–3 troubleshooting (PHY, MAC/RLC, RRC/S1AP).
- Execute log-level analysis using UE tools (QXDM, TEMS, Accuver) and network-side logs.
- Validate handovers, paging, call flows, and KPIs across satellite beam and terrestrial boundaries.
- Collaborate with device OEMs, gateway teams, and satellite payload SMEs to align RF interface.
- Contribute to lab setup, coverage modeling, and testing automation.
- Assist in simulations, scenario design, and vendor interoperability testing.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related field.
Experience:
- 5–10 years of experience in 4G/5G RAN planning and optimization.
- Strong understanding of RF systems and Layer 1–3 protocols.
- Hands-on experience with UE log analysis tools such as QXDM, TEMS, Actix, and Accuver.
- Familiarity with VoLTE, VoNR, and satellite-to-cellular call flows (NTN to TN).
- Experience in multi-vendor environments.
- Ability to troubleshoot and optimize performance across cloud-native and hybrid architectures.
- Exposure to 3GPP Release 17/18 features and satellite NTN adaptations.
- Experience with cloud-native RAN architectures and Open RAN frameworks.
- Familiarity with MNO standards and operational tools.
- Background in lab-to-field transitions and commercial rollouts.
- Experience with protocol-level debugging and physical layer design
- Strong accountability and execution focus.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority.
- Excellent documentation and system modeling skills.
- Independent and results-driven, with minimal supervision required.
- 4G LTE, 5G NR, VoLTE, VoNR, NTN, PHY, MAC/RLC, RRC/S1AP.
- QXDM, TEMS, Actix, Accuver.
- Cloud-Native RAN, Open RAN.
Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
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.
