Director - Programs and Operations

About the Company

Astrobase Space Technologies is a space technology startup built by senior ISRO scientists and IIT Bombay alumni with more than two decades of experience in developing, manufacturing, testing, and flying advanced cryogenic launch vehicles. The company is focused on creating new launch systems that can help make India a major space technology hub, with a long-term ambition of becoming the first private space company from India to land on the moon at a low cost.

Role Summary

This position leads the execution framework that turns engine and vehicle designs into hardware that is fully tested and ready to fly, while keeping delivery on time, within budget, and fully traceable from a configuration standpoint. The organization is building a reusable all-liquid launcher powered by an 80-ton Astrobase FFSC LOX/methane engine, and this role is responsible for keeping the program moving at high pace as the company scales from development into flight operations.

The Director – Programs and Operations will own the integrated schedule, critical path, stage-gate flow, configuration and change control, procurement readiness, and program cost. The role is expected to make quality part of day-to-day execution while respecting the independent authority of Quality and Mission Assurance. It also involves building and leading the operations function so the delivery system can be repeated as the company grows.

The ideal candidate has already delivered complex physical hardware such as launch vehicles, engines, propulsion systems, missiles, gas turbines, or similar products through design release, manufacturing, supplier coordination, assembly, and testing under real schedule and budget pressure. A key expectation is the ability to quickly assess what is blocking the next integrated hot-fire on the Rudra program, identify owners for each issue, and drive a clear daily closure plan.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the integrated master schedule, including dependencies, critical path items, resource clashes, long-lead material, test readiness, and recovery actions across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, assembly, and test.
• Run day-to-day execution with the functional leads, adjust the plan based on daily outcomes, and keep the program focused on schedule, cost, and technical readiness.
• Lead stage-gate reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, and FRR, making sure each review has clear entry and exit criteria and that all required evidence and action closures are in place before progression.
• Manage configuration control, including baselines, identification, status tracking, and FCA/PCA audits, along with end-to-end change management through ECR, ECO, ECN, change control boards, impact analysis, dispositioning, and closure.
• Operate the PLM system for the engine and vehicle program and connect it with schedule, QMS, ERP/MES, and change-control tools so design, build, assembly, and test all reference a single source of truth.
• Maintain a controlled record of as-designed, as-built, and as-tested states for every serialized engine and vehicle.
• Integrate quality processes into execution, including AS9100/NASA quality requirements, AS9102 FAI, NCR/MRB handling, CAPA, supplier quality, traceability, and pedigree management.
• Build and manage the vendor and supplier quality system, covering supplier qualification, audits, source and receiving inspection, supplier FAI, SCARs, approved-supplier lists, and counterfeit-parts prevention.
• Plan and manage procurement and supply chain needs such as long-lead items, supplier readiness, make-versus-buy decisions, single-source risk mitigation, strategic sourcing, PO and contract control, and inventory planning.
• Own the program cost picture, including budget, cost-to-complete, estimate at completion, unit-cost roadmap, and spend aligned to real physical progress.
• Improve cost performance through should-cost analysis, value engineering, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Build and scale the teams responsible for program management, planning, configuration, document control, procurement, supply chain, and operations.
• Work closely with design, production, and test teams at the sites where the hardware is being built and tested, solving issues at the source and updating the plan to stay on target.

First Six Months Success Measures

• The co-founder or director team is no longer spending time chasing procurement follow-ups, documentation, or action closure.
• Every major test has a readiness plan and a clearly defined critical path.
• Each engine has a controlled bill of materials and a verified as-built/as-tested configuration.
• No part moves into assembly without traceability and approved documentation.
• Long-lead risks are identified well in advance.
• Program cost-to-complete is credible and tied to actual physical progress.
• Delays are identified early and recovery actions are actively driven.
• Each functional lead has clear responsibilities and dates.
• There are no repeat test failures caused by configuration or change-control gaps, including failures like the impeller, balance-disk, and lock-nut issues previously seen. Any similar failure within six months would indicate the role is not working, even if schedules and processes appear clean.

Experience and Qualifications

• Up to 15 years of experience in program or project management, engineering operations, manufacturing operations, quality, or supply chain for complex hardware in aerospace, propulsion, automotive, or another regulated high-reliability industry.
• Demonstrated success delivering a multi-team hardware program against schedule and cost targets.
• Strong practical experience in integrated scheduling, critical path management, and cross-functional execution across engineering, manufacturing, and test.
• Solid background in configuration management and change control, with discipline in as-designed, as-built, and as-tested tracking for serialized hardware.
• Working knowledge of aerospace quality systems, supplier quality, PLM, procurement/supply chain, and cost management, with hands-on strength in several of these areas and the ability to learn the rest quickly.
• Exposure to cryogenic liquid propulsion, including LOX/methane and staged-combustion cycles, and launch-vehicle development is preferred.
• A practical, hands-on working style, with willingness to spend time where the hardware is and travel frequently.
• Engineering degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial, or a related discipline.

Why Work With Us

• Be part of a team building advanced launch vehicles that aim to reshape access to space and contribute to the future of space exploration.
• Work alongside experienced ISRO scientists and industry veterans who have contributed to major Indian space missions such as Chandrayaan 3.
• Grow with the company as it scales, with opportunities to take on leadership roles in a fast-expanding organization.
• Contribute to pioneering space technology with an impact that extends beyond the company into the broader global space ecosystem.