Senior Director, Device Validation

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 Senior Director of Device Validation to lead the validation of the mobile devices that connect to the SpaceMobile network. AST SpaceMobile serves standard, unmodified smartphones directly from space, which makes the device the one element of the end-to-end link that AST does not control. This role owns the programme that proves, device by device and release by release, that those devices attach, stay connected and perform on the network — across the AST gateway radio access network, the satellite link and the mobile network operator (MNO) core. The Senior Director will serve as the accountable owner of device validation within Service Enablement. The role defines the device validation strategy and acceptance criteria, runs lab and in-orbit validation, manages the OEM and chipset vendor relationships needed to resolve device-specific behaviour, and certifies devices for MNO launch. Because validation depends on scarce satellite passes, the role also plans pass demand across cell activation support, feature validation, OEM validation, and MNO testing and demos, and works with Service Delivery and Field RAN to turn committed gateway and pass capacity into a planned resource rather than a contested one. Validated devices and results are handed to Service Delivery and Service Assurance at the production readiness gate, and the role keeps the device compatibility record current as devices, operating systems and network features change. Key Responsibilities: Define and own the device validation strategy, test plans and acceptance criteria for devices on the SpaceMobile network, covering cell search and attach, connected-mode performance, mobility and handover, voice, messaging and data services, and emergency services behaviour. Lead OEM validation: partner with smartphone OEMs and chipset vendors to test devices on the network, resolve device-specific defects in modem, firmware and operating-system behaviour, and agree fixes against committed timelines. Lead MNO device acceptance and certification: align test plans, entry criteria and exit criteria with mobile network operator partners, and support operator demonstrations and launch readiness. Own the device compatibility record — supported devices, bands, operating-system and modem software versions, feature support and known issues — and keep it current through regression testing as devices and network features change. Plan and prioritize satellite pass demand across cell activation support, feature validation, OEM validation, and MNO testing and demos; agree committed, schedulable pass and gateway windows with Service Delivery and Field RAN; and drive effective use of every pass through purpose tagging and UE result logging. Build the lab and emulation capability that maximizes the value of each pass — device test lab, satellite channel emulation (delay, Doppler, low-elevation and elongated-beam conditions) and automation — so that only validated test cases consume live passes. Lead device validation through in-orbit testing with commercial devices, from lab to in-orbit test to production, working with Service Enablement RF and RAN validation engineers on end-to-end results across the payload, gateway RF chain and RAN. Characterize device behaviour under non-terrestrial conditions — long propagation delay, Doppler, low-elevation and elongated-beam operation, and terrestrial interference on the uplink — and feed findings to R&D, RAN and network feature teams. Establish device performance KPIs and baselines — attach success, time to attach, connected time, throughput, handover success, and uplink and downlink link quality by elevation — and report results and readiness to executive stakeholders. Own root-cause analysis of device issues using UE logs, RAN counters, telemetry and IQ captures, and drive closure across R&D, Field RAN, Service Assurance, OEMs and operators. Advance test automation and analytics — automated regression suites, log parsing, device KPI dashboards and AI-assisted triage — while retaining human sign-off on every device certification decision. Hand over validated devices and results to Service Delivery and Service Assurance at the production readiness gate, and route any finding that requires a network feature or configuration change to the Service Enablement feature owner rather than resolving it ad hoc. Build, lead and mentor a device validation organization across sites, including test engineers, lab engineers and OEM and MNO programme managers, and manage the lab, test-equipment and pass-usage plan. Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field Master’s degree in a related engineering discipline preferred; professional certification in wireless or RF engineering advantageous Experience: Minimum of 15+ years of experience in wireless device validation, device certification, RAN or RF engineering, including significant experience leading device acceptance with mobile network operators or device OEMs. At least 5+ years leading device test, validation or certification organizations in a complex, mission-critical environment. Demonstrated ownership of a device validation programme through lab testing, field or in-orbit testing, certification and launch support. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with non-terrestrial networks, satellite direct-to-device service, or hybrid terrestrial and satellite radio access architectures. Deep LTE and NR device knowledge: cell search and attach, RRC and mobility procedures, link adaptation, HARQ, and modem behaviour under delay and Doppler. Experience with operator and industry device certification programmes, such as GCF, PTCRB and operator-specific lab and field acceptance. Established working relationships with smartphone OEMs and modem or chipset vendors, with a record of resolving device defects on a committed timeline. Experience building device test labs, channel emulation and test automation. Experience introducing AI-assisted analytics into a validation or test organization, with appropriate human authorization controls. Soft Skills: Strong leadership and team-building capabilities across a geographically distributed organization. Sound engineering judgment and decisiveness when authorizing device certification decisions. Proven ability to collaborate across cross-functional technical teams, particularly Service Enablement, Service Delivery, Service Assurance and R&D. Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including direct engagement with OEMs and mobile network operator partners. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey test findings to executive and non-specialist audiences. Meticulous attention to detail in test evidence, configuration control and device performance analysis. Ability to manage competing priorities for scarce satellite passes in fast-paced test campaigns, including cross time zone coordination. Technology Stack: LTE and NR user equipment protocol and performance analysis, including UE logging and analysis tools such as XCAL. Device test lab: RF shielded enclosures, channel and satellite link emulators, spectrum analyzers and programmable attenuators. Test automation and scripting (Python) for regression testing, log parsing and KPI reporting. Satellite pass planning and scheduling data, and pass utilization reporting. RAN counters, eNB logs, telemetry and IQ captures, and OSS performance management. Device compatibility database, defect tracking, KPI dashboards and analytics, including AI-assisted triage. Physical Requirements Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods. Ability to work in device test labs and at gateway and test sites, including outdoor RF environments and equipment shelters, in accordance with site safety requirements. Capability to participate in virtual and in-person meetings. Will require extensive travel based on business needs, including OEM, operator and gateway site visits. 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.