CAD Product Structure Engineer

Job description

AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight. Job Description We are seeking a detail-oriented and systems-minded CAD Product Structure Engineer to join our Engineering team. In this role, you will own the definition, integrity, and governance of product structures and bills of materials (BOMs) within our PLM/PDM environment, ensuring that CAD data accurately reflects the as-designed configuration of our products at every stage of the product lifecycle. In close coordination with Systems Engineering, you will be the central point of coordination between design engineering, manufacturing engineering, supply chain, and quality teams—bridging the gap between CAD authoring environments and the downstream systems that consume engineering data. Your ability to establish and enforce robust structure standards will be essential to maintaining configuration traceability from concept through production and service. This position is responsible for managing the full change management workflow, including engineering change orders (ECOs), engineering change notices (ECNs), deviations, and waivers, ensuring that configuration changes are evaluated, approved, and implemented with full downstream impact visibility. You will actively manage data flows between the CAD/PLM system and enterprise platforms such as ERP, MES, and quality management systems, identifying and resolving structural discrepancies before they propagate into manufacturing or procurement. The ideal candidate combines a strong foundation in CAD modeling conventions and BOM structures with hands-on experience in configuration management processes, a methodical approach to data governance, and the communication skills to drive alignment across multidisciplinary teams. Responsibilities Define, build, and maintain CAD-sourced product structures and multi-level BOMs within the PLM/PDM system, ensuring accurate part-to-assembly relationships, quantity management, and find-number assignments across all product configurations Manage the end-to-end engineering change management process, including initiation, impact assessment, routing, approval, and implementation of ECOs, ECNs, deviations, and waivers in compliance with established configuration management procedures Conduct and document configuration change impact analyses, identifying all affected drawings, models, BOMs, ICDs, and downstream deliverables prior to change authorization Govern the release and revision lifecycle of CAD data and associated documentation, enforcing drawing release workflows, revision control conventions, and effectivity management across single and multi-site programs Own the data interface between the CAD/PLM environment and downstream enterprise systems (ERP, MES, MRP), including BOM transfers, part master synchronization, and structure validation to prevent manufacturing and procurement discrepancies Identify, investigate, and resolve BOM and product structure discrepancies—including phantom assemblies, incorrect unit-of-measure settings, missing make/buy designations, and reference designator mismatches—before they reach production Establish and maintain product structure standards, naming conventions, part numbering schemas, and attribute requirements in alignment with company standards Support model-based definition (MBD) and digital thread initiatives by ensuring product structure integrity across 3D annotated datasets and associated metadata Generate and validate BOM reports, configuration audits, and as-designed vs. as-built reconciliation outputs for design reviews, supplier qualification, and customer deliverables Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain stakeholders to resolve configuration discrepancies, disposition non-conformances tied to structure or BOM errors, and support first-article inspection (FAI) data packages Develop and deliver training on product structure standards, change management workflows, and PLM system procedures for design engineers and other system users Participate in continuous improvement efforts to streamline change cycle time, reduce BOM error rates, and improve data quality metrics across the product lifecycle Qualifications US Citizen Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience considered 5+ years of experience in a PLM/PDM engineering data management, configuration management, or product structure role within a manufacturing or product development organization Demonstrated expertise in building and managing multi-level CAD-sourced BOMs, including variant/option management, effectivity control, and complex assembly structures within a PLM environment (Windchill, Teamcenter, Enovia/3DEXPERIENCE, Agile, or equivalent) Solid working knowledge of engineering change management processes, including ECO/ECN workflows, deviation and waiver handling, and configuration audit practices aligned with CMII, EIA-649, or equivalent standards Proficiency in at least one major CAD platform (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or NX) with a strong understanding of CAD file relationships, assembly constraints, and the impact of model structure on downstream BOM integrity Experience managing data integrations or transfer mappings between PLM and ERP/MES systems (SAP, Oracle, Infor, or equivalent), including troubleshooting synchronization failures and part attribute discrepancies Familiarity with configuration management planning documentation, including configuration management plans (CMPs), configuration status accounting (CSA), and configuration audits (FCA/PCA)—aerospace or defense experience a significant plus Strong analytical skills with the ability to trace data flows across interconnected systems, identify root causes of structural errors, and implement corrective actions with minimal disruption to program schedules Experience supporting model-based enterprise (MBE) or digital thread initiatives, including management of PMI/MBD datasets and associated metadata in a PLM context, is highly desirable Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document processes precisely, facilitate cross-functional change review meetings, and present configuration status clearly to engineering and program leadership High proficiency with Microsoft Excel or equivalent data tools for BOM analysis, discrepancy tracking, and reconciliation reporting; experience with Power BI or similar reporting platforms is a plus Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent change packages across overlapping programs in a fast-paced, schedule-driven environment Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team with other engineers. Flexibility/adaptability in a fast-paced & dynamic environment. 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.