He served in the Bangladesh Army from 1977 to 1988, holding key positions in the Infantry and operational roles in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Army Headquarters before taking voluntary premature retirement. Transitioning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988, he held diverse roles, including Deputy Chief of Protocol, Director of multiple regional wings, and Minister (Political) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC.

His diplomatic career saw him serve as Ambassador to Oman, South Korea, and Thailand, as well as Additional Foreign Secretary in Dhaka. Mustafa Kamal played a crucial role in shaping Bangladesh’s bilateral relations, leading delegations, and attending high-profile international courses, including at Harvard University and the US Department of Justice. Since 2016, he has been serving as an Advisor to Kai-Altech Group.