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.
Position Overview
The Front Desk Security Officer is responsible for executing daily physical security operations at primary facility entry points within an aerospace manufacturing environment. This role focuses on controlling ingress and egress, enforcing access governance, protecting export-controlled and IP-sensitive areas, and ensuring the safety of employees, visitors, and high-value assets including prototypes and flight hardware.
The position serves as the first line of defense for facility security and operates in close coordination with Corporate Security, EH&S, Facilities, HR, IT, and Program Leadership to maintain controlled access, regulatory compliance, and life safety standards.
Base Pay: DOE
- This position is assigned to Friday, Saturday, Sunday 6pm to 6am
- The location will be at one of our four facilities located between Odessa and Midland.
What You'll Do:
Front Desk & Access Control Operations
- Monitor and control primary entry points to manufacturing, R&D, test, and corporate facilities.
- Verify identity and credentials of employees, contractors, visitors, customers, and vendors prior to granting access.
- Enforce badge policies, escort requirements, and visitor management procedures.
- Issue and collect temporary badges in accordance with security protocols.
- Maintain accurate visitor logs and access records.
- Monitor CCTV feeds and access control systems for unauthorized activity.
- Immediately escalate suspicious behavior, policy violations, or access anomalies to Corporate Security leadership.
Ingress and Egress Enforcement
- Ensure all individuals entering restricted or program-controlled areas have proper authorization.
- Enforce zoning, tiered access, and export-controlled area restrictions.
- Support onboarding and deprovisioning processes by verifying badge activation and deactivation status.
- Prevent tailgating and unauthorized piggybacking at controlled entry points.
- Conduct routine badge and credential audits at entry locations.
Intellectual Property (IP) and Asset Protection
- Support physical safeguards protecting export-controlled technologies, proprietary designs, trade secrets, prototypes, tooling, and flight hardware.
- Enforce policies related to secure material handling and restricted area access.
- Monitor movement of sensitive materials entering or leaving the facility in accordance with established procedures.
- Immediately report suspected unauthorized photography, recording, or removal of sensitive materials.
Incident Response Support
- Serve as the initial response point for security-related incidents at facility entry points.
- Initiate lockdown procedures when directed by Security or during emergency situations.
- Support evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures while maintaining accountability of restricted areas.
- Preserve incident documentation, visitor logs, and badge data to support investigations.
- Coordinate with EH&S and Corporate Security during emergencies affecting life safety or controlled spaces.
Compliance and Documentation
- Maintain strict adherence to ITAR/EAR and export-controlled area requirements.
- Complete daily activity logs, incident reports, and shift turnover documentation.
- Participate in security audits and inspections as required.
What You Bring:
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, or related field preferred.
Experience
- 2+ years of experience in corporate security, access control, or front desk security operations, preferably in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Experience working in export-controlled, restricted, or high-security facilities preferred.
- Familiarity with access control systems and CCTV monitoring platforms.
Soft Skills
- Strong situational awareness and attention to detail.
- Professional demeanor and customer-facing communication skills.
- Ability to remain calm and decisive during high-stress situations.
- High integrity and discretion handling sensitive environments.
- Ability to consistently enforce policies without deviation.
Technology Stack
- Electronic Access Control Systems (badge readers, biometric systems)
- CCTV and video monitoring platforms
- Visitor management systems
- Incident reporting systems
- Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of ITAR/EAR-controlled environments.
- Experience supporting emergency response or incident reporting processes.
- Military or law enforcement background preferred but not required.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment:
- Ability to work in a manufacturing and warehouse environment with frequent standing, walking, and movement throughout the shift.
- Ability to sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to use hands and fingers to perform repetitive tasks, data entry, and computer work.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, climb, reach, and balance as required to perform job duties.
- Ability to lift, push, pull, and/or carry items weighing up to 35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to work in, on, around, and in proximity to machinery, equipment, material handling devices, and production tooling.
- Ability to work near moving mechanical parts and equipment.
- Ability to visually inspect materials, inventory labels, documentation, and production information.
- Ability to communicate effectively, including talking and hearing.
- Ability to work in environments that may include exposure to noise, dust, fumes, airborne particles, and varying temperatures.
- Ability to follow all company safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to stand or sit for extended periods at security checkpoints.
- Ability to walk facility floors as needed.
- Ability to respond quickly during emergency situations.
- Capability to work rotating shifts, weekends, or holidays as required.
If you are open to relocating to Midland, this can be a career changing, and life changing, move into the high-tech aerospace world offering a new skill set and job security in a very similar environment that will soon feel like home. We encourage you to apply to learn more about AST SpaceMobile and what Midland has to offer.
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.