Head Programs and Operations Hebbal, Bangalore (Frequent travel to Factory & Test Facility)

Job Description:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Integrated Program Delivery
Owns the integrated master schedule, critical path, dependencies, resource conflicts,
long-lead items, test readiness, and recovery plans across engineering,
manufacturing, procurement, assembly, and test. Drives daily execution with the
functional team leads, re-plans against daily outcomes without losing the target, and
holds the program accountable to schedule, cost, and technical readiness. This is the
primary mandate of the role — everything else exists to make program delivery work.
2. Stage-Gate Governance
Runs phase reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, FRR) with clear entry and exit
criteria, ensuring that evidence packages are complete and actions are closed before

the program advances. Technical approval authority remains with the Director/Co-
founder and the relevant engineering owners; this role owns the governance process,

review cadence, and action tracking that surface risk early and keep the program
moving on evidence.

3. Configuration, Change Control & PLM
Establishes and runs configuration management — identification, baselines, status
accounting, and configuration audits (FCA/PCA) — and end-to-end change control:
ECR/ECO/ECN, the Change Control Board, impact assessment, dispositioning, and
closure. Owns and operates the PLM for the full engine and vehicle system,
integrating it with the schedule, QMS, ERP/MES, and change-control tools so design,
manufacturing, assembly, and test all work off one connected source of truth.
Maintains a single, authoritative record of as-designed, as-built, and as-tested
configuration for every serialized engine and vehicle.
4. Quality Integration & Supplier Quality
Ensures that QMS (AS9100 / NASA quality requirements), FAI (AS9102), NCR/MRB,
CAPA, supplier quality, and full part traceability and pedigree are tightly integrated into
program execution — so that quality gates, non-conformance disposition, and supplier
corrective actions are reflected in the schedule and never bypassed under schedule
pressure. Builds and runs the vendor and supplier quality program — supplier
qualification and audits, source/receiving inspection, supplier FAI, supplier corrective
action (SCAR), the approved-supplier list, and counterfeit-parts control. The Head of
Quality and Mission Assurance retains independent escalation and stop-work
authority; this role ensures quality is built into the execution rhythm, not that it reports
to the schedule.

5. Procurement & Supply Chain
Owns long-lead planning, supplier readiness, make-vs-buy decisions, supplier
recovery plans, and single-source risk mitigation, working through the procurement
and supply-chain team. Manages strategic sourcing, contract and PO management,
and inventory planning in service of the program's schedule and cost targets.
6. Cost & Resource Management
Owns the program budget, cost-to-complete, estimate at completion, unit-cost
roadmap, and spend versus actual physical progress. Drives cost performance
through should-cost analysis, value engineering, and cost-down initiatives. Finance
retains ownership of accounting and reporting; this role owns the cost picture that
informs program decisions.

7. Organization & Execution
Builds and scales the program management, planning, configuration, document
control, procurement, supply chain, and operations teams. Engineering hiring
remains with the Director/Co-founder and the respective functional leads; this role
identifies resource gaps and ensures the program has the people it needs, when it
needs them. Works hands-on across design, production, and test sites: takes
problems to where the work is, resolves them by bringing the work back to the
correct process, and updates the plan to hold the target.
What Success Looks Like in the First Six Months
• Director/Co-founder’s time recovered from chasing procurement, documentation,
and action closure.
• Every major test has a readiness plan and critical path.
• Every engine has a controlled BOM and as-built/as-tested configuration.
• No part reaches assembly without traceability and approved documentation.
• Long-lead risks visible well in advance.
• Program cost-to-complete credible and tied to physical progress.
• Delays surfaced early; recovery plans actively driven.
• Every functional lead has clear ownership and dates.
• Zero repeat test failures from configuration or change-control gaps. The impeller,
balance-disk, and lock-nut failures all came from such gaps — another similar
failure six months in means the role is not working, regardless of how clean the
schedules and processes look.

Desired Profile / Criteria / Skills :

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
• Up to 15 years in program/project management, engineering operations,
manufacturing operations, quality, or supply chain on complex hardware —
aerospace, propulsion, automotive, or another regulated, high-reliability industry.
• Proven delivery of a multi-team hardware program to schedule and cost.

• Hands-on depth in integrated scheduling, critical-path management, and cross-
functional execution across engineering, manufacturing, and test.

• Strong configuration management and change-control experience — as-designed /
as-built / as-tested discipline across serialized hardware.
• Working knowledge of aerospace QMS, supplier quality, PLM, procurement/supply
chain, and cost management, with hands-on depth in several and the ability to learn
the rest quickly.

• Familiarity with cryogenic liquid propulsion (LOX/methane, staged-combustion
cycles) and launch-vehicle development preferred.
• Hands-on operator who works where the hardware is; willing to travel frequently.
• Engineering degree (mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial, or related).

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.