Safety Manager

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc; Crane (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc. is seeking a Safety Manager for the MACH-TB program in Crane, IN. The role blends industrial safety expertise with aerospace ops to identify hazards, assess risk, and ensure regulatory safety compliance across design, test, and fielded systems.

The incumbent will develop and oversee system safety programs, conduct analyses, support high-risk operations, and participate in safety reviews while coordinating with engineering, test, and program teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with 10+ years of experience.
• 5+ years in a leadership/management role within engineering, lab, or manufacturing.
• 7+ years engineering experience in lab operations, electrical/mechanical development, testing, or prototyping.
• Ability to obtain/hold a DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute system safety programs compliant with DoD, customers, and MIL-STD-882.
• Perform hazard analyses, risk assessments, fault tree analyses, and mishap risk evaluations.
• Provide AI&T Safety Oversight by enforcing safety protocols for hypersonic TV/LV testing.
• Support design, development, integration, test, and operations to embed safety from concept to lifecycle.
• Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and safety review boards.
• Prepare, review, and maintain SSPPs, HTLs, and safety assessment reports.
• Support ground and flight test activities, range operations, and high-hazard environments.
• Investigate incidents and near-misses; perform root-cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Perform root-cause analysis during vehicle integration or recovery for continuous improvement.

Skills

System safety principles

Hazard analyses

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety program development

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

10+ years of engineering experience

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Safety Manager for the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) program requires a unique blend of industrial safety expertise and high-stakes aerospace operational experience. In the Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) phase, safety is paramount due to the handling of experimental flight vehicles, solid rocket motors, and advanced thermal protection systems. This role partners with engineering, test, manufacturing, and program teams to identify hazards, assess risk, and ensure compliance with DoD, customer, and regulatory safety requirements. The Safety Manager plays a critical role in supporting high-risk operations, including development, test, and fielded systems.

LOCATION

• Crane, IN

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

PRIMARY: i

• Develop and execute system safety programs that comply with DoD, customer, and regulatory requirements (including MIL-STD-882 and related standards).


• Perform system safety analyses such as hazard analyses, risk assessments, fault tree analyses, and mishap risk evaluations.


• Provide AI&T Safety Oversight by developing and enforcing safety protocols for the Assembly, Integration, and Test of hypersonic experimental Test Vehicles (TV) and Launch Vehicles (LV).


• Support design, development, integration, test, and operational activities to ensure safety requirements are embedded early and maintained throughout the lifecycle.


• Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and formal safety review boards.


• Prepare, review, and maintain system safety documentation including Safety Program Plans (SSPPs), Hazard Tracking Logs (HTLs), and safety assessment reports.


• Support ground and flight test activities, range operations, and other high-hazard environments.


• Investigate incidents, close calls, and mishaps; perform root?cause analyses and recommend corrective actions.


• Perform root-cause analysis for any near-miss or incident during vehicle integration or recovery to support continuous improvement and test cadence.

SECONDARY: i

• Conduct safety audits, inspections, and assessments of facilities, operations, and test configurations.


• Coordinate with customers, government representatives, and internal stakeholders on safety-related matters.


• Interface with government and industry partners to align safety standards across the program.


• Support compliance with OSHA, DoD, and program-specific safety requirements.


• Promote a strong safety culture through training, mentorship, and continuous improvement initiatives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Manager-level supervisory responsibility, overseeing engineering and technician teams.

Keyword: Safety Manager

Required Experience:

JOB SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

• Working knowledge of system safety principles and standards (e.g., MIL-STD-882).


• Experience performing hazard analyses and maintaining hazard tracking systems.


• Strong technical writing, analytical, and communication skills.


• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional technical and program teams.

PREFERRED:

• Experience supporting missile, space, aircraft, or hypersonic systems.


• Familiarity with range safety, explosives safety, or test safety requirements.

• Professional certifications such as CSP, ASP, or equivalent.

• Experience working on classified or government-contracted programs.

• Active or ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bacheloris degree in engineering or 10+ years of experience.i


• 5+ years in a leadership or management role within an engineering, laboratory, or manufacturing environment, with at least 3 years at the senior level.


• 7+ years of relevant engineering experience in laboratory operations, electrical/mechanical development, machining, testing, or prototyping (or equivalent combination of education and industry/military experience).

Travel

• Up to 25%

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position operates across engineering office spaces, advanced electrical laboratories, integrated test environments, precision machine shop areas, and facility operational zones. Work involves planning, oversight, scheduling, documentation review, process development, and cross-departmental coordination. The role requires adherence to facility safety protocols, ESD practices, and operational standards while supporting fast-paced, mission-driven workflows. The Safety Manager will regularly interact with engineers, technicians, mission providers, and department managers, and may be required to support hands-on assessments or oversight during integration, fabrication, or test activities.

From: Kratos Defense