Head of Safety

SSC Space; Jukkasjärvi; On-site; SEK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unique international space industry

Personal and career development

Open global team culture

Six to eleven extra days off/year

Job summary

SSC Space seeks a Head of Safety for Esrange Space Center outside Kiruna. You will lead the Safety Management System, coordinate safety across range and flight safety, and ensure regulatory compliance for launches, tests and future orbital activities.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on safety operations, reporting to senior management and collaborating with authorities and stakeholders in a dynamic, international space environment.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in engineering, safety, risk management, HSE or fire protection, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of safety or HSE experience from a regulated industrial or operational environment.
• Experience leading specialists and coordinating safety across several functions.
• Experience developing and maintaining safety management systems.
• Strong knowledge of risk management, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with authorities, permits, and external stakeholders.
• Fluent Swedish and English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the overall safety function and Safety Management System at Esrange.
• Ensure clear safety frameworks, processes, and responsibilities.
• Coordinate the Esrange Safety Board and safety preparations for launches, tests and campaigns.
• Lead and coordinate safety specialists across range safety, flight safety, fire protection and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, permits and authority requirements.
• Develop the site-wide crisis and emergency response organization, including training and exercises.
• Coordinate airspace, impact-area and public-safety matters with authorities and external stakeholders.
• Oversee incident management, safety planning, budgeting and continuous improvement.

Skills

Safety leadership

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder coordination

Emergency planning

Education

Engineering, safety, risk management, HSE or fire protection degree

Tools

Safety Management Systems

Job description

Description

Welcome to SSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation), the perfect workplace for those passionate about technology in general and space in particular. With space organizations, research institutes, institutional and commercial actors as customers, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications, spacecraft consulting services, rocket and balloon systems, and much more. SSC Space also has one of the world’s largest global networks of ground stations for satellite communications. We own and operate the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, northern Sweden, with the aim of launching satellites in the near future.

Are you fueled by a passion for people and the ambition to create an awesome workplace? Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey with us to help Earth benefit from space?

If you answer yes to these questions, we invite you to seize the opportunity to make a significant impact as our Head of Safety at Esrange Space Center. At Esrange Space Center, safety is fundamental to everything we do. Our operations include sounding rocket and balloon launches, rocket testing, and the development of orbital launch capabilities – activities that place high demands on safety, coordination and regulatory compliance. As Head of Safety, you will lead and coordinate the overall safety work at Esrange Space Center. Your mission is to ensure a safe environment for employees, customers, contractors, visitors and the public across operations that include rocket and balloon launches, testing and future orbital launch activities. You will set the frameworks and requirements for our safety work and lead experts within areas such as range safety, flight and campaign safety, occupational health and safety, fire protection and emergency preparedness. This is a strategic role with a strong operational focus, significant decision-making authority, and close collaboration with internal teams, authorities, and local stakeholders.

Requirements

• A relevant degree in engineering, safety, risk management, HSE or fire protection, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of safety or HSE experience from a regulated industrial or operational environment.
• Experience leading specialists and coordinating safety across several functions.
• Experience developing and maintaining safety management systems.
• Strong knowledge of risk management, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with authorities, permits, and external stakeholders.
• Fluent Swedish and English, both spoken and written.

Experience from aviation, airports, aerospace, defence or another safety-critical field is highly valued. Knowledge of flight safety, airspace coordination, Seveso, explosive materials, ADR, or systematic fire protection is an advantage.

You are an analytical and confident leader who remains calm under pressure. You combine structure and integrity with a practical approach and are comfortable making difficult decisions when safety is at stake. You also know how to build trust, challenge unsafe practices, and turn requirements into effective action.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the overall safety function and Safety Management System at Esrange.
• Ensure clear safety frameworks, processes, and responsibilities.
• Coordinate the Esrange Safety Board and safety preparations for launches, tests and campaigns.
• Lead and coordinate safety specialists across range safety, flight safety, fire protection and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, permits and authority requirements.
• Develop the site-wide crisis and emergency response organization, including training and exercises.
• Coordinate airspace, impact-area and public-safety matters with authorities and external stakeholders.
• Oversee incident management, safety planning, budgeting and continuous improvement.

Benefits

We offer you

• A unique opportunity to contribute to a wide range of projects and play an active role in both the Swedish and international space industry.
• An excellent opportunity for personal and career development.
• An exciting, international workplace characterized by an open atmosphere and proud employees all over the world.

Additional benefits

• In addition to vacation and traditional public holidays, we offer extra paid leave throughout the year, such as time off between Christmas and New Year, Ascension Day, amounting to 6-11 extra days depending on the calendar.
• Wellness allowance of SEK 5,000 per year.
• Health benefits such as voluntary health insurance and regular health checks for eligible employees.
• Access to a benefit bike through a tax-efficient leasing program.
• Support for employee-driven activities that promote connection, health, and culture across teams.
• Collective Agreement, including good pensions plans, parental pay and insurance.

Location

This is a full-time, permanent position based at Esrange Space Center outside of Kiruna.

Further information

For questions regarding employment terms or union-related matters, you are welcome to contact our union representatives:
Sveriges Ingenjörer: [e-mail]
Unionen: [e-mail]

This position is security-sensitive and requires approved security vetting and background check in accordance with the protective security act. Additional requirements regarding citizenship may apply.

We help Earth benefit from Space

SSC Space is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space. With local presence on all continents and about 800 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions. We help Earth benefit from Space. Learn more at sscspace.com