Core Network Engineer, 3GPP Wireless (Satellite to Cellular Networks)
: Job Details :

Join us on our mission to connect the unconnected.

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global broadband cellular network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices. Our team is on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's 5 billion mobile subscribers and bring cellular broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. Our strategic technology partners include global leaders like AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone Group, Google, Bell Canada, Rakuten Mobile and American Tower.

New

Core Network Engineer, 3GPP Wireless (Satellite to Cellular Networks)

Remote

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 Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Core Network Engineer with deep hands-on expertise in 3GPP wireless core networks (4G LTE and 5G NR). In this role, you will be responsible for the engineering, integration, configuration, and testing of our wireless core network elements and services. You will translate architectural designs into practical deployments, ensuring the network is robust, performant, and compliant with 3GPP standards. This is a critical role that requires a strong problem-solving mindset and a meticulous approach to network implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engineer, implement, and deploy 3GPP core network elements, including 4G LTE EPC (MME, SGW, DRA) and 5G SA Core (AMF, UPF, SMF, SEPP).
• Work closely with Solutions Architects to translate high-level designs into detailed engineering plans and configurations.
• Configure core network elements, interfaces (e.g., S1-AP, NAS, GTP-C/U, Diameter, HTTP/2, SCTP, PFCP, N1-N15, etc.), and associated services.
• Implement virtualized (VNFs) and cloud-native (CNFs) core network functions on various platforms (e.g., OpenStack, VMware, Kubernetes/OpenShift).
• Develop and implement network automation scripts and tools (e.g., Ansible, Python, Terraform) for configuration, deployment, and operational tasks.

Integration & Testing:

• Lead the integration of core network elements with other network domains (RAN, transport, OSS/BSS) and third-party solutions.
• Design, develop, and execute comprehensive test plans (FAT, SIT, UAT) for core network features, performance, and stability.
• Perform functional, performance, regression, and stress testing of core network components.
• Identify, analyze, and troubleshoot complex technical issues, working closely with vendors and internal teams for resolution.
• Support network trials and proof-of-concepts (PoCs).

Network Operations & Optimization:

• Provide expert-level support for operational issues, including incident resolution and root cause analysis.
• Monitor core network performance, identify bottlenecks, and recommend optimization strategies.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of deployment, integration, and operational processes.

Documentation & Standards:

• Create and maintain detailed engineering documentation, including configuration guides, MOPs (Method of Procedure), test reports, and as-built diagrams.
• Ensure all implementations and configurations comply with 3GPP standards, internal guidelines, and security policies.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field.

Experience:

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in telecommunications, with a strong focus on engineering, integrating, configuring, and testing 3GPP wireless core networks.
• Proven experience with large-scale 4G LTE EPC and/or 5G SA Core deployments.
• Extensive practical experience with core network elements from major vendors.
• Demonstrated experience with virtualized and cloud-native network functions (VNF/CNF) deployment and lifecycle management on platforms like Kubernetes, OpenShift, OpenStack, or VMware.
• Hands-on experience with wireless roaming configurations and inter-PLMN connectivity.
• Experience with Direct-to-Device (D2D) or Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) integration and testing is highly desirable.

Technical Skills:

• Deep practical knowledge of 3GPP standards for 4G (Release 8-15) and 5G (Release 15-18), specifically related to core network architecture, protocols, and call flows.
• Strong expertise in core network protocols and interfaces (e.g., S1-AP, NAS, GTP-C/U, Diameter, HTTP/2, SCTP, PFCP).
• Proficiency in network security hardening and best practices for core network elements.
• Solid scripting and automation skills (e.g., Python, Ansible, Terraform, Bash).
• Strong knowledge of IP networking, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), and QoS mechanisms.
• Experience with network monitoring and troubleshooting tools (e.g., Wireshark, packet sniffers, performance monitoring systems).
• Familiarity with public cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) and cloud-native network principles.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks.

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.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at AST SpaceMobile? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

School * Select...

Degree * Select...

Select...

Select...

Start date year *

End date month Select...

End date year *

LinkedIn Profile

Website

Do you have a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field? * Select...

Do you have 10+ years of hands-on experience in telecommunications, with a strong focus on engineering, integrating, configuring, and testing 3GPP wireless core networks? * Select...

Do you have proven experience with large-scale 4G LTE EPC and/or 5G SA Core deployments? * Select...

Do you have extensive practical experience with core network elements from major vendors? * Select...

Do you have experience with virtualized and cloud-native network functions (VNF/CNF) deployment and lifecycle management on platforms like Kubernetes, OpenShift, OpenStack, or VMware? * Select...

Do you have hands-on experience with wireless roaming configurations and inter-PLMN connectivity? * Select...

Do you have experience with Direct-to-Device (D2D) or Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) integration and testing is highly desirable? * Select...

What are your minimum salary requirements? *

Are you legally authorized to work in the U.S for any employer? * Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in AST SpaceMobile's Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A disabled veteran is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A recently separated veteran means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An Armed forces service medal veteran means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Voluntary Self-Identification of DisabilityForm CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

#J-18808-Ljbffr