Quality Engineer (Manufacturing & Supplier Quality)

About Astrobase Space Technologies 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.

Key Responsibilities Supplier Quality and Root Cause

• Find, audit and approve suppliers for machined parts, fabrications, raw materials and special processes like heat treatment, welding, brazing, plating, NDT and 3D printing. Maintain the Approved Supplier List.
• Ensure purchase orders carry the right quality requirements, including oxygen/methane cleanliness (MIL-STD-1330, ISO 14644) and counterfeit part prevention (AS6081).
• Track supplier performance through scorecards and regular reviews. Do source inspection, first-article approval and lot acceptance for critical parts.
• Raise SCARs when suppliers miss requirements and follow up until the fix is verified.
• Lead root cause analysis for non-conformances, test anomalies and quality escapes using 8D, 5-Why, fishbone, is/is-not and fault tree analysis.
• Put corrective and preventive actions in place and verify effectivity before closure.
• Bring findings to MRB, and ensure lessons learned are back propagated.

Process Development

• Take part in Manufacturing Readiness Reviews.
• Decide part approval requirements and review supplier submissions, including FAI (AS9102), MSA and process capability.
• Actively participate in building the QMS toward AS9100D, including procedures, records, training, process procedure qualification and technician certification.
• Set up APQP and PPAP for new parts, in-house and at suppliers, including PFMEA, control plans and key characteristics.
• Track first-pass yield, scrap, supplier rejections and CAPA closure time. Use this data to improve manufacturing practices.

Required Qualification

• Diploma, B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Sc./ M.Tech in Mechanical, Production, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering.
• Diploma with 5–8 years (at least 3 in supplier quality), B.E./B.Tech with 3–4 years, or Masters with 1–3 years of quality engineering experience in aerospace, defense, space or automotive manufacturing.
• Has qualified suppliers, done supplier audits and closed SCARs.
• Hands-on experience with APQP and PPAP, including PFMEA, control plans, process flow diagrams, MSA and Cp/Cpk.
• Working knowledge of AS9100D. Should have been part of at least one certification or surveillance audit.
• Good understanding of machining, fabrication and special processes, and the defects each of them can cause.
• Strong RCA skills. Should have personally led investigations from problem definition to a verified fix, using 8D, 5-Why, fishbone, is/is-not and fault tree analysis.
• Able to read engineering drawings and GD&T (ASME Y14.5) without help.
• Good at writing clear procedures and reports.
• Strong negotiation and relationship skills: able to hold suppliers to requirements while building trust.
• Willingness to travel regularly to supplier sites across India.

Preferred Qualification

• AS9100D Internal Auditor certification.
• Familiarity with AS9145 (aerospace APQP/PPAP), AS9102 (FAI) and AS13100 (supplier quality requirements).
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, or equivalent lean / continuous-improvement training.
• Experience with suppliers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai or Pune aerospace and defense ecosystems, including ISRO, HAL or DRDO vendors.
• Has worked on propulsion, cryogenic, high-pressure or 3D-printed metal hardware.
• Has built quality processes from scratch, ideally in a startup.

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

• 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.
• Collaborating with Experts: Work alongside ISRO scientists and industry veterans with decades of experience in designing India’s iconic space missions like Chandrayaan 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.
• Pioneering Space Technology: Your contributions will not only impact Astrobase but also influence the global space ecosystem. Be part of something larger than yourself.