Field Tester

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 Contract Field Tester specializing in Service Acceptance for satellite broadband and direct-to-device (NTN) services across LEO/MEO constellation deployments. This role ensures that every feature, workflow, and service meets defined entry/exit criteria through rigorous field testing, evidence collection, and structured reporting. The contractor will work closely with Engineering, RF/NTN, Firmware, and Service Delivery teams to deliver complete acceptance validation packages   The Contract Field Tester will execute structured drive tests and static performance validation across varied terrains and blockage conditions, validate NTN behaviors including timing/RTT, beam/satellite transitions, and mobility scenarios, while maintaining complete traceability from acceptance criteria to test evidence and final sign-off deliverables   This contract role operates in demanding field environments supporting critical validation of satellite-cellular network performance for commercial service launch. Success requires deep technical expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while maintaining the highest standards for data quality, safety compliance, and professional deliverable quality in challenging field conditions   Key Responsibilities   Acceptance Planning & Criteria Management   Convert business/service requirements into testable acceptance criteria  with clear pass/fail thresholds for throughput, latency, jitter, coverage, attach sequences, mobility, QoS, and application performance validation   Prepare Acceptance Test Plans (ATP) and Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPr)  mapped to specific KPIs and technical requirements for satellite-cellular integration scenarios   Identify and plan necessary routes, locations, conditions, and environments  for comprehensive acceptance testing including rural, urban, maritime, and high-mobility scenarios   Establish test matrices and coverage requirements  for LEO/MEO satellite constellation validation across multiple beam coverage areas and handover scenarios   Field Execution & Validation   Deploy, configure, and align terminals/antennas  for fixed, portable, and vehicular test scenarios ensuring optimal satellite acquisition and tracking performance   Execute structured drive tests and static performance tests  across varied terrains, weather conditions, and RF environments to validate service acceptance criteria   Validate NTN-specific behaviours  including timing/RTT characteristics, beam/satellite transitions, paging optimization, RRC stability, and mobility handover performance   Perform comprehensive coverage testing  with emphasis on edge-of-beam scenarios, satellite elevation angle variations, and Doppler compensation validation   Evidence Collection & Defect Management   Capture complete evidence sets  including RF metrics (SINR/RSRP/RSRQ/MER/CNIR/RSL), IP KPIs (throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss), PCAPs, RRC/PHY/MAC logs, spectrum captures, and synchronized GNSS/KML data   Ensure full traceability  of each acceptance criterion to corresponding test case execution and supporting evidence with time-synchronized data collection   Raise high-fidelity defects  with complete reproducibility steps, precise timestamps, geo-tagging, RF conditions, and suspected contributing factors for effective resolution   Maintain evidence integrity  through secure data handling, proper chain of custody, and comprehensive documentation of test setup configurations   Reporting & Stakeholder Management   Prepare Service Acceptance Reports (SAR)  with comprehensive pass/fail matrices, deviation analysis, performance trending, and technical recommendations for service readiness   Conduct stakeholder review sessions  and manage follow-up test cycles, retesting, and validation activities until complete acceptance sign-off is achieved   Deliver consolidated Acceptance Packages  including ATP/ATPr documentation, execution logs, analysis results, dashboards, findings, and formal approval artifacts   Provide real-time field updates  and preliminary results to support rapid decision-making during critical acceptance phases   Qualifications   Required   Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or equivalent field experience   4-8+ years of experience in SATCOM, RF engineering, or telecommunications field testing with demonstrated acceptance/UAT focus   Understanding of LEO/MEO satellite characteristics including Doppler effects, elevation angle variations, beam/satellite transition scenarios, and constellation geometry impacts   Proven experience with Service Acceptance methodologies, ATP/ATPr development, and formal acceptance reporting processes   Preferred   Experience with 3GPP Rel-17/18 NTN validation and satellite-cellular integration testing scenarios   Background in maritime, aeronautical, or remote-area satellite communications field testing   Technical certifications in RF Safety, Telecommunications, or ISTQB Foundation testing methodologies   SDR experience (USRP, BladeRF) for RF capture and interference analysis in satellite environments     Skills & Competencies   Strong RF testing skills with spectrum analyzers, power meters, signal generators, GNSS loggers   Handson with QXDM/QCAT, TEMS/SeeHawk/Accuver and protocol/RF analysis tools   Deep IP networking knowhow: MTU, fragm