AST SpaceMobile

4G/5G RF Network Planning Engineering Lead (Satellite to Cellular Networks)

Miami, Florida, United States

Full Time

29 minutes ago

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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.

Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled RF Network Planning Engineer with deep expertise in both 4G and 5G network design and optimization. This engineer will be a central figure in ensuring AST’s satellite-to-cellular network meets Tier-1 standards by managing RF planning, coverage design, and cross-domain integration.

Duties and Responsibilities

This role is not theoretical. The engineer will directly support:

Translating the current MNOs’ cell allocation into a centralized table with ownership, bandwidth, coordinates, and naming conventions.
Creating the AST SpaceMobile Network Planning Database as the single source of truth—mapping all cells, eNodeBs, frequency bands, and their relationship across all network layers, from Cell → RAN → Core → PLMN ID.
Validating the status of each cell to assess deployment readiness.
Aligning with MNOs on support and approval for lighting up those cells.
Mapping and intelligently affiliating each cell with the appropriate Gateway and eNB based on technical feasibility and load planning.
Ensuring gateway infrastructure is equipped to handle planned eNB/BBU/BPMS configurations.
Addressing GW evolution and gaps in coverage with scalable plans to meet persistency KPIs.
Preparing NCC/NOC/SOC integration in coordination with MNO operational workflows. Key Responsibilities:
Lead RF planning for 4G LTE and 5G NR (NSA/SA) networks across diverse environments
Develop PCI/RSI/frequency plans and satellite-aware beam design
Design clutter-aware propagation models, link budgets, and power analysis
Align cell definitions, naming, and metadata with Tier-1 operator expectations
Map cell allocations to gateways and eNBs based on performance and load planning
Drive gateway readiness planning (BBU, BPMS, antenna density)
Support NCC/NOC/SOC readiness tied to MNO integration
Feed validated plans into the core network, operational systems

Required Experience & Skills

7–15 years in 4G/5G network planning and optimization
Proficient with Atoll, Planet, Asset, TEMS, Actix, QXDM, MapInfo
Strong in Layer 1–2 RF design, mobility strategies, and inter-site optimization
Deep familiarity with MNO standards, RF compliance, and naming conventions
Hands-on expertise in Massive MIMO, Phased Arrays, and Beamforming
Experience managing multi-site configurations, sector mapping, and propagation tuning

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with satellite-to-cellular or NTN RF modeling
Exposure to Open RAN, cloud-native architecture, or advanced 5G orchestration
Understanding of eNB/gNB configurations, backhaul planning, and spectrum use

Soft Skills

Highly accountable and execution-focused
Capable of driving clarity across ambiguity in fast-moving environments
Collaborative, cross-functional communication and technical reporting

Tools & Platforms

Atoll, Planet, Asset, MapInfo
TEMS Investigation, Actix Analyzer, QXDM
Excel (advanced), Power BI, Python (preferred)

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.