Assistant Manager - Safety

ABOUT ASTROBASE SPACE TECHNOLOGIES

Astrobase is a pioneering spacetech startup founded by prominent Senior ISRO scientists and IIT Bombay alumni with over 20 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, testing and flying advanced Cryogenic Launch Vehicles. Driven by a vision to make India a Space tech powerhouse, we are developing innovative launch vehicles that will transform space exploration. At Astrobase, you’ll be part of a team creating history in the Indian space industry. Our goal is to become the first private space company from India to land on the moon economically.

Role purpose

The Assistant manager (Safety) is the onsite safety lead for the hot-fire test facility. You enforce safety requirements, approved designs, commissioning outputs, and written procedures. You run safety for every hot-fire test, manage emergency response onsite until civil authorities take over, and report directly to the Site Head.

Work location and hazards

• Location: Hot-fire test stand, propellant storage and inerting systems, local control room.
• Team during campaigns: ~30 operations/tech staff; Emergency Response Team (ERT) and medical responders rostered.
• Hazards: LOX, LNG/LCH4, LN2, GN2/GOX, CNG/high-pressure gases, cryogenics, high pressure, fire, blast, thermal radiation, and oxygen enrichment.

Key responsibilities

Test readiness and control

• Approve the HSE block of the Test Readiness Review (TRR) by checking compliance with approved designs, commissioning reports, and SOPs.
• Be present on console during hot-fire tests (or delegate a qualified deputy).
• Confirm ESD/SIS is commissioned and armed, gas and O2 detectors calibrated and online, deluge/suppression ready, ERT/ambulance available, and exclusion zones enforced.
• Keep a test-day safety log and stop work if acceptance criteria are not met; escalate unresolved issues to the Site Head.

Safety systems operation and maintenance

• Operate safety systems according to approved commissioning and SOPs: gas detection, ODH alarms, ESD/SIS, deluge/foam, inerting manifold, alarms, grounding.
• Ensure calibration and functional tests are completed on schedule and records are kept (monthly gas checks, semi-annual deluge tests, quarterly SCBA checks).

Procedural and compliance checks

• Verify operations follow approved P&IDs, SOPs, cause-and-effect matrices, and commissioning evidence.
• Verify inserting/purge acceptance by checking O2 sample records before entry or maintenance.
• Issue and close high-risk PTWs (propellant ops, hot work, confined space, critical lifts) after pre-job risk assessment and toolbox talk.

Emergency response, first aid, and occupational safety

• Act as Incident Commander onsite until civil authorities take over.
• Ensure first-aid coverage (≥2 medical responders per shift during operations), defibrillator, stocked trauma kits, and ambulance tie-up.
• Maintain and train ERT (≥4 SCBA-qualified responders per shift during propellant ops); run quarterly drills and bi-annual full simulations.
• Oversee basic occupational safety: PPE, LOTO, ergonomics, incident and illness reporting.

Audits, regulatory support, and records

• Conduct compliance audits against approved designs and SOPs; document non-conformances and track corrective actions.
• Support regulatory inspections with commissioning records, calibration logs, PTW registers, and drill reports.
• Escalate design or commissioning non-conformances to Engineering through the Site Head.

Incident investigation and continuous improvement

• Lead initial incident response and investigation; use structured RCA to recommend corrective actions.
• Track CAPAs and verify closure; report safety KPIs monthly to the Site Head.

Authority and limits

• Enforce compliance with approved designs, SOPs, and commissioning acceptance criteria.
• Can stop operations when acceptance criteria are unmet and must immediately notify the Site Head.
• Does not change engineering designs; design changes are handled by Engineering via the Site Head.

Required experience and qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Chemical, Instrumentation, Electrical, or Aerospace engineering.
• 8+ years in industrial/process safety with hands-on experience in cryogens (LOX/LNG/LN2) and high-pressure gas systems.
• Experience reviewing P&IDs, cause-and-effect matrices, and verifying FAT/SAT/commissioning evidence.
• Experience operating and accepting gas detection, deluge, and SIS/ESD systems.
• Incident command and emergency response experience.

Preferences

• Rocket test or aerospace ground-systems familiarity.
• Functional safety (IEC 61511/TÜV SIL), HAZOP facilitator, NEBOSH or similar certifications.
• Experience with IBR, PESO, QRA, HAZOP and hazardous area classification (IS 5572 / IEC 60079).

Working conditions and KPIs

• Onsite during hot-fire campaigns; on-call for readiness and emergencies.
• Example KPIs: TRR HSE acceptance before propellant actions (100%), monthly gas detector calibration compliance (100%), PTW compliance ≥98%, drill completion per schedule.

WHY WORK WITH US?

At Astrobase, we believe in the power of human ingenuity and collaboration to push the boundaries of space exploration. As a team member, you’ll be:

1. Creating History: Join us in developing cutting-edge launch vehicles, playing a pivotal role in transforming space access and shaping the future of space exploration.
2. Collaborating with Experts: Work alongside ISRO scientists and industry veterans with decades of experience in designing India’s iconic space missions like Chandrayaan 3
3. Growth Opportunities: As Astrobase scales, you’ll have the chance to take on leadership roles and be part of an expanding organization driving change in the Indian space sector.
4. Pioneering Space Technology: Your contributions will not only impact Astrobase but also influence the global space ecosystem. Be part of something larger than yourself.