AST SpaceMobile · 3 months ago
AI Lab Manager
Midland, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
3+ years expAST SpaceMobile is building the first global cellular broadband network in space and is seeking an AI Lab Manager to oversee the operations of their AI Lab in Midland, TX. The role involves managing lab security, supervising a labeling workforce, and ensuring the integrity of AI data operations.
Information TechnologyAerospaceTelecom & CommunicationsSatellite CommunicationTelecommunications
No H1B
Responsibilities
Manage the day-to-day operation of the on-site AI Lab in Midland, including opening, securing, and closing the facility and ensuring the lab is locked at all non-operating hours
Enforce lab access and information-security rules — no personal cell phones, cameras, photography, personal electronics, or removable storage media (USB sticks, SD cards, external drives) inside the lab — and maintain visitor logs and badge access controls
Hire, onboard, schedule, and supervise a part-time computer-vision image-labeling workforce, ensuring consistent shift coverage and adequate throughput on labeling queues
Train labelers on AST’s in-house image-labeling software, including labeling conventions, ontology updates, quality standards, escalation paths, and productivity expectations
Monitor labeling output for accuracy and consistency, run calibration and inter-rater agreement checks, and provide ongoing coaching and corrective feedback to the labeling team
Partner daily with manufacturing quality inspectors and engineers to plan, capture, log, and ingest images and short-form video of spacecraft components and assembly steps used to train computer-vision and robotics models
Maintain the lab’s image- and video-capture workflow: managing camera rigs, lighting, fixtures, capture protocols, file naming, metadata, and chain-of-custody from the factory floor into lab storage
Manage and maintain lab compute resources including workstations, GPU servers, storage arrays, networking equipment, and backup systems; coordinate with Corporate IT on patching, imaging, account provisioning, and ticket resolution
Track and audit lab assets, software licenses, peripherals, and consumables; maintain accurate inventory and asset-tag records
Own lab safety, ESD, and housekeeping standards, ensuring the workspace meets manufacturing-floor cleanliness and electrical-safety expectations
Maintain operational runbooks, standard operating procedures, training materials, and security policies for the lab; lead periodic security reviews and access audits
Report on lab utilization, labeling throughput, dataset growth, security incidents, and infrastructure health to the Chief of AI and Autonomy
Qualification
Required
3+ years of experience managing a lab, secure operations area, IT/data center, or other controlled-access environment
Demonstrated security-conscious mindset with experience enforcing access-control, information-security, or export-controlled workspace rules
Strong computer literacy: comfortable administering Windows and/or Linux workstations, identity tooling (Active Directory or equivalent), basic networking, and standard productivity tools
Experience supervising and training an hourly or part-time workforce, including scheduling, performance feedback, and quality oversight
Comfort partnering with engineers and shop-floor technicians in a manufacturing or hardware environment
Strong written and verbal communication and meticulous documentation habits
Ability to be physically on-site in Midland, TX and to occasionally support extended or off-shift hours during high-throughput campaigns
High school diploma or equivalent
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Preferred
Prior experience supporting computer vision, machine learning, or data-labeling operations
Familiarity with image-labeling tooling (e.g., CVAT, Labelbox, Scale, or in-house equivalents) and labeling QA practices
Experience administering GPU workstations or servers (NVIDIA driver / CUDA toolchains)
Background in aerospace, defense, or other ITAR / export-controlled environments
Experience with badge access systems, video surveillance, and facility access auditing
Familiarity with manufacturing quality processes, Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), or visual inspection workflows
Coursework or certifications in IT, cybersecurity, networking, or facility security
Associate or bachelor's degree preferred
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision
401(k) (pre-tax & Roth)
Life insurance, disability coverage
HSA, transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
PTO / sick leave
Company
AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is a space-based broadband cellular network company for unmodified mobile devices.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$5.92BKey Investors
Trinity CapitalAtlas Credit PartnersRakuten,Vodafone
2026-07-15Post Ipo Debt· $1B
2026-02-12Post Ipo Debt· $1B
2025-10-22Post Ipo Equity· $157.22M
Leadership Team
Christopher Ivory
Chief Commercial Officer
Scott Wisniewski
President and Chief Strategy Officer
Recent News
The Motley Fool
2026-08-11
Company data provided by crunchbase