Principle Systems Engineering- Software Verified today

About the Role

AST SpaceMobile is building SpaceMobile, the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible by standard smartphones, delivering 4G/5G speeds globally on land, at sea, and in flight.

As Principal Systems Engineer for Software, you will lead the definition, decomposition, and management of software requirements across a complex communications platform. You will work at the intersection of software, networking, infrastructure, and systems engineering, turning stakeholder needs into clear, testable, and traceable requirements that engineering teams can implement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of software system requirements from stakeholder needs and system-level concepts through subsystem and component-level specifications
• Define and maintain software requirements for communications software, networking functions, interfaces, and distributed system architectures
• Develop and manage interface control documents (ICDs) between software elements, infrastructure components, external systems, and partner interfaces
• Own requirements traceability from stakeholder needs through design, implementation, verification, validation, and operational acceptance
• Lead requirements reviews and drive resolution of ambiguity, conflicts, risks, and gaps across engineering disciplines
• Conduct system-level trade studies and technical analyses to support architecture and requirements decisions
• Partner with software development and test teams to define verification strategies, acceptance criteria, and validation approaches
• Support system integration activities, anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and requirements changes throughout development
• Develop and maintain requirements management processes, standards, and best practices
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure technical requirements align with business and operational objectives
• Mentor engineers and promote systems engineering principles across the organization
• Provide technical leadership on complex system architecture, integration, and requirements management initiatives

Required Qualifications

Education:
Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 to 15 years of professional engineering experience
• Experience as a Systems Engineer writing, managing, and maintaining requirements for complex technical systems
• Experience supporting large-scale software development, systems integration, or communications-based platforms
• Proven experience developing clear, concise, testable, and verifiable requirements
• Experience throughout the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design support, verification, validation, and deployment
• Experience using requirements management, configuration management, and traceability processes in complex engineering environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related engineering discipline
• Experience in cellular telecommunications, wireless communications, networking, or related communications technologies
• Familiarity with 4G LTE, 5G, radio access networks, core networks, IMS, or related telecommunications architectures
• Knowledge of industry standards and specifications development processes
• Experience with satellite communications, space systems, or non-terrestrial network architectures
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
• Experience using SysML, Cameo, or similar MBSE tools
• Background in software development using C, C++, Python, or similar languages
• Experience with Linux-based embedded, distributed, or networked systems
• Experience in highly regulated, mission-critical, safety-critical, or high-reliability environments
• INCOSE CSEP, ESEP, or similar systems engineering certifications

Required Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
• Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional engineering teams
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and documentation quality
• Ability to influence technical decisions without direct authority
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to manage competing priorities and complex technical initiatives
• Self-motivated with a proactive and continuous improvement mindset
• Strong mentoring and leadership capabilities

Tools and Technologies

Requirements management: DOORS, Jama, Polarion, Jira. Modeling: SysML, Cameo. Development: C, C++, Python, Linux-based systems. Communications networking technologies. Configuration management and change control systems. Microsoft Office Suite and engineering collaboration platforms.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
• Ability to review technical documentation, requirements specifications, architecture diagrams, and verification artifacts
• Ability to participate in technical reviews, requirements reviews, design reviews, and cross-functional collaboration sessions
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing systems engineering and documentation activities
• May require occasional travel to support engineering reviews, integration activities, or stakeholder engagements