Ground Software Engineer (Senior)

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. Position Overview We are seeking a Senior Ground Software Engineer with deep full‑stack development experience to help design, build, and maintain software and infrastructure that supports mission‑critical ground systems and operations. This role plays a key part in developing reliable, scalable systems used for monitoring, communication, and control of space‑based assets. The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor and technical leader who thrives in complex, highly regulated environments, takes ownership of system design decisions, and proactively drives improvements through automation and best practices. This is a hybrid, U.S.-based role with occasional travel. Key Responsibilities Design, develop, and maintain full‑stack software applications supporting ground and mission operations Architect and support networked systems used for secure communication between distributed systems Debug, troubleshoot, and resolve issues across application, infrastructure, and networking layers Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams to identify gaps and improve operational workflows through automation Contribute to system architecture decisions and lead development efforts for new tools and platforms Serve as a technical leader within the ground software team while remaining hands‑on as an individual contributor Provide technical guidance, code reviews, and uphold industry best practices across software and DevOps processes Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience A minimum of 8–10 years of professional experience in software engineering or application development. Preferred Qualifications Experience building systems within regulated or compliance‑driven environments Advanced experience implementing DevOps practices in complex production environments Experience developing platform‑agnostic applications (web and mobile) Strong front‑end design and development expertise Familiarity with modern UI/UX design and prototyping tools Experience with scripting and automation across multiple operating systems Exposure to formal security or compliance frameworks commonly used in enterprise or government‑adjacent settings Soft Skills Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across distributed teams Proven ability to lead initiatives while remaining a hands‑on technical contributor Excellent written and verbal communication skills High level of ownership, initiative, and self‑direction Meticulous attention to detail to ensure reliability and accuracy in mission‑critical systems Technology Stack Programming languages such as Python, Java, C/C++, Go, or similar Full‑stack and API frameworks (e.g., Node‑based or Python‑based frameworks) Front‑end frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue Cloud environments (primarily AWS) Containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker) Relational and non‑relational databases Version control and CI/CD tooling Centralized logging and monitoring platforms Linux and Windows operating systems Physical Requirements Ability to work in a standard hybrid office environment Prolonged periods of computer use for software design, development, and troubleshooting Ability to participate in virtual meetings across time zones Occasional travel as required 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.