Civil Engineer - LEO Satellite Gateway Infrastructure

Job Description

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

Lead civil and structural assessments for satellite gateway sites, ensuring that foundations, site layouts, utilities, and construction work meet engineering expectations, local permitting requirements, and overall deployment timelines.
You will own the civil scope from site survey and design review through construction quality, issue resolution, and final turnover, ensuring the site is fully ready for gateway activation.

This role operates at the intersection of civil engineering excellence and satellite technology deployment, requiring engineering precision balanced with business urgency while managing regulatory requirements across diverse markets.

Key Responsibilities

Site Surveys & Assessments

• Conduct civil surveys to understand topography, access, drainage patterns, soil behaviour, utilities, and overall build feasibility

• Identify risks related to site conditions early to support reliable design and construction planning

Structural & Civil Design Validation

• Review designs for foundations, antenna/radome supports, equipment pads, shelters, structural frames, and site steel

• Confirm that designs account for expected forces such as wind and seismic and follow widely used US design practices common to building and telecom infrastructure

• Ensure designs are ready for local permitting by aligning with widely adopted building‑safety requirements used across US jurisdictions

Permitting & Approvals Support

• Prepare civil/structural drawings and calculation packages in a format suitable for local building departments

• Coordinate with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to help obtain timely permits

• Support environmental and construction‑site compliance requirements such as stormwater control, erosion control, and proper site‑runoff management (standard requirements for most US construction projects)

Construction Oversight & Quality Control

• Oversee construction activities including earthworks, foundations, drainage works, trenches and duct banks, and concrete installations

• Ensure contractors maintain proper stormwater controls and follow good environmental practices on site

• Address onsite technical issues such as RFIs, unexpected soil or rock conditions, and field adjustments

• Support safe lifting plans and heavy‑equipment activities, especially for antennas and large components, following widely accepted construction‑safety practices

Activation‑Ready Delivery

• Ensure all civil deliverables as‑built drawings, inspection results, soil and concrete test records, redlines, and turnover documentation are complete and accurate

• Identify when tall structures or temporary cranes may require review by aviation authorities and coordinate the necessary documentation

• Prepare the site so it is fully ready for installation of gateway antenna systems, power systems, and related infrastructure

Cross‑Team Coordination

• Work closely with teams including RF/antenna engineering, mechanical and electrical teams, operations, HSE, program management, procurement, legal/permitting, and real estate/site acquisition

• Coordinate with electrical/MEP teams on grounding and lightning‑protection elements, ensuring civil interfaces are properly addressed

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field

• 5+ years of experience in civil/structural engineering for mission‑critical, telecom, industrial, or similar infrastructure

• Ability to review civil/structural designs for conformance with commonly used US building and structural design practices

• Construction experience including QA/QC, inspection oversight, RFI management, and closeout documentation

• Familiarity with construction stormwater and erosion‑control requirements typically required on US projects

• Ability to travel across the US for site surveys, construction reviews, and activation support

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or EIT progressing toward licensure

• Experience with satellite ground stations, antenna foundations, radomes, or telecom towers

• Experience working with aviation‑related structure‑height reviews during construction

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of foundations, grading, earthworks, drainage, and practical construction considerations

• Ability to review and redline civil drawings and specifications

• Experience with civil engineering design software including AutoCAD and Civil 3D

• Strong field judgement and ability to anticipate constructability issues

• Effective at coordinating contractors and driving timely resolution of issues

• Clear communication skills across engineering, construction, operations, and permitting teams

Cross‑Functional Interfaces

• Internal : Program/Project Management, RF/Antenna Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Teams, Network/Operations, HSE, Supply Chain, Legal/Permitting, Real Estate/Site Acquisition

• External : Civil/structural consultants, geotechnical firms, contractors, equipment suppliers, landlords, local permitting departments, and aviation authorities when applicable

Tools / Standards / Methods

• Commonly used US building‑safety and structural‑design principles adopted by local building departments

• Widely accepted practices for concrete, steel, and foundation design

• Standard environmental and stormwater management practices for construction sites

• Aviation‑review processes for tall structures or cranes when required

• Construction‑safety practices for crane use, heavy lifts, and high‑risk activities

• Grounding and lightning‑protection coordination with electrical teams

Performance Metrics

Success measured by:

• Gateway construction schedule adherence and milestone achievement

• Construction quality metrics and facility performance

• Regulatory approval efficiency and permit acquisition success

• Cost management and budget compliance

• Cross-functional team satisfaction scores

Physical Requirements

• Role based in US with regular travel for site visits and construction oversight (~40%)

• Ability to conduct field inspections at construction sites

• Occasional international travel for gateway development

• Flexibility for urgent site issues outside standard hours

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.