Talent Acquisition Partner – Direct Labor

AST Space Mobile 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.

AST Space Mobile is seeking a high-output Talent Acquisition Partner – Hourly Direct Labor Recruiting to own full-cycle recruiting for hourly technical roles supporting aerospace manufacturing, integration, and test operations.

This role is dedicated to hiring avionics technicians, composite technicians, AIT technicians, RF technicians, quality inspectors, and other hands‑on production talent critical to spacecraft build and launch cadence. The ideal candidate understands high‑volume technician pipelines, manufacturing floor dynamics, and the urgency of scaling skilled labor in a fast‑moving aerospace environment.

This is an execution‑focused recruiting role requiring strong sourcing capability, hiring manager partnership, and operational discipline.

• Own end‑to‑end recruiting for hourly technician roles across manufacturing, integration, test, and quality.
• Partner with hiring managers to define headcount forecasts, skill requirements, and hiring timelines.
• Develop structured intake meetings and calibrated screening criteria.
• Manage requisitions from approval through offer acceptance and onboarding handoff.

• Build and maintain active pipelines of:
• Avionics technicians
• Composite technicians
• RF/AIT technicians
• Quality inspectors
• Manufacturing and production technicians
• Proactively source through job boards, trade schools, military transition programs, referrals, and targeted outreach.
• Establish long‑term relationships with technical training programs and local workforce channels.
• Develop geographic sourcing strategies to support rapid scaling.

• Conduct structured technical phone screens focused on:
• Hands‑on build experience
• Blueprint and schematic reading
• Tool proficiency
• Cleanroom or aerospace standards familiarity
• Assess cultural alignment with a fast‑paced aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Present calibrated candidate slates with clear evaluation summaries and risk flags.

• Maintain accurate ATS records and reporting.
• Track technician hiring metrics including:
• Time‑to‑fill
• Offer acceptance rate
• Source effectiveness
• Hiring velocity vs. production demand
• Coordinate interview scheduling, feedback loops, and offer approvals.
• Ensure compliance with wage classifications and hourly hiring practices.

• Anticipate technician ramp needs tied to production milestones.
• Support workforce scaling initiatives tied to spacecraft build cadence.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations on headcount planning.
• Assist with staffing agency oversight for surge or contract technician support.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent recruiting experience in manufacturing or aerospace environments considered in lieu of degree.

• 3–7+ years of full‑cycle recruiting experience, with emphasis on hourly or technician hiring.
• Demonstrated success hiring for manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or industrial roles.
• Experience supporting high‑volume or ramp hiring initiatives.
• Familiarity with technical skill screening for hands‑on production roles.

• Aerospace or space industry recruiting experience.
• Experience hiring avionics, composite, or RF technicians.
• Military veteran hiring experience.
• Experience working in a fast‑scaling startup or high‑growth manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing external staffing partners.
• RPO experience

• Strong urgency and bias toward execution.
• Highly organized with strong follow‑through.
• Direct communicator capable of setting expectations with hiring…