Midland
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 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, • 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, • 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, • 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 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, • 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, • 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, fragmentation, NAT/CGNAT, QoS/DSCP, DNS/DHCP in satellite paths, • Advanced log/trace analysis (Wireshark, iPerf3, OWAMP/TWAMP) and results visualization (KML/GeoJSON, ArcGIS/QGIS/Google Earth), • Excellent structured reporting, statistical interpretation, and acceptance documentation, • Acceptance Coverage: ≥95% criteria executed with evidence, • Data Quality: <2% invalid/missing logs, • Defect Quality: ≥80% reproducibility rate, • Reporting SLA: 48-hour turnaround, • First-Pass Success: ≥85% completion rate, • RF: spectrum analyzers, power meters, signal generators, GNSS logging, • Drive test: QXDM/QCAT, TEMS, SeeHawk, Accuver XCAL or equivalent, • Network: Wireshark, iPerf3, Speedtest CLI, OWAMP/TWAMP, • Mapping: KML/GeoJSON, ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth, • Contract engagement (Time & Materials / Milestone-Based) with project-specific assignments, • Extensive field-based travel requirements (60-80%) across diverse geographic locations including rural, remote, and challenging terrain environments, • Flexibility to work according to satellite pass windows, maintenance schedules, and acceptance timelines including nights/weekends as required Primary Contract Deliverables: • Acceptance Test Plans (ATP) and Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPr), • Daily field execution summaries with real-time status updates, • Complete evidence bundles (logs, traces, PCAP files, RF measurements, GNSS/KML data, setup photographs), • KPI performance dashboards and coverage heatmaps, • Comprehensive defect documentation with retest validation outcomes, • Final Service Acceptance Reports (SAR) with technical recommendations 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.