Technical Product Manager - Midland, TX

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 sp ...

Job description

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 Technical Product Manager to drive technical requirements and RAN product specifications & solutions for gateway site installation, aligning engineering needs, regulatory constraints, and deployment workflows to enable compliant, commercially viable, and scalable satellite-gateway locations. This role serves as the critical bridge between technical engineering teams, regulatory affairs, commercial development, and site deployment operations to ensure gateway delivers production-ready infrastructure that meets both technical performance requirements and business objectives.

This position requires deep understanding of satellite ground infrastructure, RAN solutions, RF propagation considerations, regulatory compliance frameworks, and site engineering requirements. The ideal candidate will bring proven experience in technical product management within satellite communications infrastructure, with specific expertise in gateway site development, regulatory coordination, and cross-functional technical program management.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Requirements & Product Specifications

• Define comprehensive technical requirements for gateway site acquisition including RF performance criteria, RAN infrastructure specifications, and integration compatibility standards

• Manage product and deployment requirements for RAN network related hardware

• Own configuration standards, templates, and governance to ensure consistency across Gateway sites constraints and deployment workflow requirements

• Coordinate and validate BOMs with Engineering, Supply Chain, and vendors for completeness and accuracy

• Establish technical validation criteria and acceptance standards for RAN network at Gateway locationa

• Ensure CIQs, configuration guides, port mappings, and as-built documentation are complete and deployment-ready

• Coordinate technical requirements gathering sessions with engineering stakeholders, site development teams, and operations personnel

• Ensure technical specifications support scalable satellite-gateway location development across diverse geographical environments

• Enable smooth technical handover to Service Acceptance and Operations, ensuring documentation completeness and traceability

• Support change control by ensuring updates reflected across HLDs, BOMs, configurations, and documentation

Site Feasibility & Validation Management

• Lead technical site feasibility assessments including RF propagation analysis, interference studies, and infrastructure capability evaluations for RAN network deployment

• Validate site feasibility against established technical criteria, and operational deployment standards

• Coordinate multi-disciplinary feasibility studies involving RF engineering, utilities assessment, and regulatory compliance teams

• Manage technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies for site acquisition projects

• Establish standardized feasibility validation processes and documentation frameworks

Cross-Functional Engineering Coordination

• Coordinate engineering inputs from RF engineering, satellite systems, network operations, and infrastructure development teams

• Facilitate technical collaboration between site acquisition teams and broader satellite network engineering organization

• Ensure consistent engineering standards and technical approaches across multiple gateway site development projects for RAN network

• Drive technical decision-making processes involving multiple engineering disciplines and stakeholder groups

• Enable smooth technical handover to Service Acceptance and Operations, ensuring documentation completeness and traceability

Documentation & Delivery Standards Management

• Manage comprehensive technical documentation for gateway site including requirements specifications, RAN Rack layout design standards, and validation procedures

• Ensure site acquisition outputs meet integration, build, and commercial-ready gateway delivery standards

• Establish and maintain technical documentation standards and configuration management processes

• Maintain technical traceability from requirements through final delivery and commissioning

Technical Program Management & Process Optimization

• Develop and optimize technical workflows for gateway site acquisition from RAN network prospects, including requirements definition, feasibility assessment, and delivery validation processes

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for technical processes, tools, and methodologies

• Coordinate technical resource allocation and capacity planning for site acquisition programs

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field

• Master's degree in Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, or advanced technical discipline preferred

Experience

• Minimum 8+ years in satellite communications, telecommunications infrastructure, or wireless network engineering

• Minimum 5 years' relevant experience in RAN engineering, telecom site acquisition, or technical product management supporting ground facilities

• Demonstrated experience producing or validating site engineering deliverables: site survey reports, RF/site feasibility and integration acceptance criteria

• Strong written communication and technical documentation skills for creating ICDs, acceptance plans and status reports

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically to candidate and active gateway sites as required for surveys, permitting meetings, and commissioning

Required Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of satellite ground segment architecture, gateway systems, and RF infrastructure requirements

• Hands on experience of eNB hardware and RAN architecture design

• Strong knowledge of satellite communications link budgets, antenna systems, and RF propagation characteristics

• Proven ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable product specifications and delivery criteria

• Experienced on CIQ handling and deployment documentation workflows

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in technical product management roles at satellite operators, ground infrastructure providers, or telecommunications companies

• Experience with technical project management methodologies and cross-functional technical program coordination

• Familiarity with 4G/ 5G NTN standards, satellite-cellular integration, and next-generation satellite communications architectures

Leadership & Communication Skills

• Strong technical leadership with ability to influence and coordinate across multiple engineering disciplines

• Exceptional communication skills for presenting complex technical requirements to diverse stakeholder audiences

• Proven ability to manage technical programs involving regulatory agencies, engineering teams, and commercial stakeholders

• Experience building scalable technical processes and product management frameworks

• Demonstrated success in technical decision-making and conflict resolution across cross-functional teams

Technology Stack

• Proficiency with technical documentation systems, requirements management tools, and project management platforms

• Experience with RF simulation tools, link budget analysis software, and satellite communications modelling systems

• Knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) and site assessment tools commonly used in telecommunications infrastructure development

Physical Requirements

• Role will be based in the US with flexibility for remote work arrangements

• Regular travel for site assessments, technical meetings, and stakeholder coordination (~25-30%)

• Ability to participate in field site evaluations including outdoor assessments at potential gateway locations

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.