Manager– Rocket Engine Test Facility

Astrobase Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; Anantapuram; Sur place; INR 1 400 000 - 2 200 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Astrobase Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd. seeks a seasoned engineering leader to manage the Rocket Engine Test Facility’s operations, maintenance, and infrastructure development.

You will own safety, regulatory compliance, asset reliability, and long‑term capacity planning, guiding multidisciplinary teams and contractors on site near Thimmasamudram. The role requires strong technical judgment, hands‑on leadership, and the ability to independently drive complex facilities projects while ensuring

Qualifications

• Senior hands-on leader with 12+ years of relevant experience in multi-disciplinary engineering facilities.
• Experience in facility operations, maintenance, safety, and compliance.

Responsabilités

• Lead operation and maintenance of Rocket Engine Test Facility, ensuring high availability and readiness.
• Develop and implement maintenance strategies, SOPs, and inspection plans.
• Drive asset reliability, root cause analysis, and lifecycle management of facility systems.
• Oversee infrastructure expansion, modernization, and project execution within budget and schedule.
• Provide leadership to O&M teams, safety, and contractors with a culture of ownership.

Connaissances

OM Management

Safety

Maintenance Utilities

Asset Integrity

Infrastructure Development

Regulatory Compliance

Budgeting & Planning

Formation

BE/BTech in Mechanical Engineering

Outils

PLC & Instrumentation

Description du poste

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 Overview:

Astrobase is seeking a highly experienced and technically strong engineering leader to manage the Operations, Maintenance, Infrastructure Development, Facility Augmentation, and Statutory Compliance activities of its Rocket Engine Test Facility.

The role is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, compliant, and uninterrupted operation of all facility infrastructure supporting rocket engine testing activities. The incumbent shall lead multidisciplinary teams, drive facility growth and operational excellence, ensure regulatory compliance, and develop organizational capabilities required to achieve company objectives.

The position requires a hands‑on leader with strong ownership, technical judgment, people management skills, and the ability to independently manage a complex engineering facility.

Key Responsibilities

1. Facility Operations & Maintenance
   • Lead the overall operation and maintenance of the Rocket Engine Test Facility. Ensure high availability, reliability, and operational readiness of all facility systems and utilities.
   • Establish and continuously improve preventive, predictive, and condition‑based maintenance programs.
   • Develop and implement maintenance strategies, SOPs, inspection plans, and operating procedures.
   • Drive asset reliability, performance improvement, and root cause analysis for equipment failures.
   • Ensure facility infrastructure consistently supports present and future testing requirements.
2. Mechanical, Civil, Electrical & Automation Systems
   • Manage operation, maintenance, improvement, and lifecycle management of:
   • LOX, LIN, GN2, GO2 and CNG Systems
   • Cryogenic Storage and Transfer Systems
   • Pressure Vessels, Pipelines and Utility Networks
   • PLC, Instrumentation and Automation Systems
   • Fire & Gas Detection Systems
   • Buildings, Roads, Drainage and Civil Infrastructure
   • Utility and Support Facilities
3. Safety Management Coordination
   • Ensure facility safety requirements are effectively implemented, monitored, and maintained through the Safety Department.
   • Work in close coordination with the Safety Head and Site Safety Team to ensure compliance with company safety standards and regulatory requirements.
   • Ensure implementation of risk assessments, HAZOP recommendations, permit-to-work systems, emergency preparedness plans, and corrective actions.
   • Monitor safety performance across all departments and ensure timely closure of safety observations.
   • Provide leadership support, resources, and infrastructure necessary for maintaining safe operations.
   • Promote a strong safety culture and operational discipline throughout the facility.
4. Statutory Compliance & Approvals
   • Own overall compliance responsibility for the facility.
   • Ensure timely obtaining, maintenance, and renewal of all statutory approvals and licenses through the Safety Department and relevant internal teams.
   • Monitor compliance with PESO, SMPV (U) Rules, Gas Cylinder Rules, Fire Department requirements, Environmental requirements, Electrical Inspectorate requirements, and other applicable regulations.
   • Ensure compliance observations, audit findings, and regulatory actions are effectively addressed and closed.
   • Maintain continuous regulatory readiness of the facility.
5. Infrastructure Development & Facility Augmentation
   • Lead planning, engineering, budgeting, and execution of new infrastructure projects.
   • Manage facility expansion, capacity enhancement, modernization, and augmentation programs.
   • Oversee civil, mechanical, electrical, automation, utility, and testing infrastructure development projects.
   • Ensure projects are executed safely, within budget, and on schedule.
   • Support long‑term infrastructure planning aligned with company growth objectives.
6. Team Leadership & Organizational Development
   • Lead and develop:
   • O&M Mechanical & Civil Team
   • Safety Team (through functional coordination with Safety Head)
   • Contractors and Service Providers
   • Team development and capability building
   • Workforce planning and resource management
   • Performance management and mentoring
   • Technical guidance and leadership
   • Building a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
   • Manage contractors, service providers, and equipment vendors.
   • Ensure quality, safety, and timely execution of outsourced activities.
   • Review engineering deliverables, maintenance activities, and project progress.
   • Drive contractor performance and compliance with facility requirements.

Required Qualification

• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (Preferred). Candidates from Electrical & Automation Engineering with strong Operations & Maintenance experience and sound industrial safety knowledge may also be considered.

Required Skills

Strong knowledge and practical experience in:

• Operations & Maintenance Management
• Industrial and Process Safety
• Mechanical Maintenance & Utilities
• Asset Integrity & Reliability Engineering
• Infrastructure Development & Facility Expansion
• Statutory Compliance & Regulatory Requirements
• Budgeting and Resource Planning

Preferred Industry Experience

Experience in one or more of the following industries will be preferred:

• Oil & Gas Industry
• Process Industries

The ideal candidate shall:

• Possess strong leadership capability with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.
• Have demonstrated experience in managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Be capable of independently managing facility operations, maintenance, development, and compliance activities.
• Have strong technical understanding of mechanical, civil, electrical, automation, and utility systems.
• Understand organizational goals and effectively translate them into executable plans.
• Drive operational excellence, reliability, safety, compliance, and infrastructure growth.
• Be willing to reside near Thimmasamudram, Andhra Pradesh, and provide strong on-site leadership.

WHY WORK WITH US?

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