Senior Site Safety Manager

Mission

Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity’s most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Cowboy Space Corporation is transforming how civilization powers, computes, and connects - from orbit to Earth.

Background

Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure that powers and connects the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-Earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high-bandwidth optical data transport.

Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases.

Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father’s work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.

This ambitious mission demands extraordinary talent. Cowboy Space Corporation’s team has worked at places like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis, and NASA, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build the most important energy company in the world, we want to hear from you.

The Role

Cowboy Space is building the next generation of commercial rocket engines. We're looking for a Senior Site Safety Manager to establish occupational safety leadership at our Seattle manufacturing facility (300,000 SF). You'll own safety compliance, training development, PPE protocols, and OSHA standards across facility build-out and operations. You report to the Safety Director and make autonomous decisions on HIGH-risk issues. This is a hands-on, senior-level role for someone who builds safety systems and holds people accountable.

Responsibilities

Safety Leadership & On-Site Authority

• Establish on-site safety presence and leadership; set expectations for safety compliance across all operations
• Make autonomous HIGH-risk decisions: stop unsafe work, enforce non-negotiable safety standards, escalate issues appropriately
• Conduct daily facility inspections (machinery, propellant labs, storage, electrical, exits); document hazards and track remediation
• Monitor OSHA compliance in real-time operations; maintain detailed compliance documentation and audit readiness
• Establish and enforce clear safety protocols; hold all personnel (including management) accountable to standards

Training Program Development & Implementation

• Design and deliver comprehensive, competency-based safety training curriculum before operations begin
• Develop mandatory trainings: LOTO machinery-specific hazard recognition, propellant handling, emergency response, site orientation
• Implement operator certification program; verify demonstrated competency before ANY equipment use
• Establish refresher and ongoing training schedules; maintain complete training records with documented sign-offs
• Develop and deliver specialized training for new equipment, processes, or regulatory requirements
• Create train-the-trainer programs for operations leads to sustain training culture at scale

PPE Protocol Development & Enforcement

• Conduct hazard assessment across all work areas to determine PPE requirements by zone/task
• Design and establish site-wide PPE protocols (selection criteria, fit-testing, maintenance, storage, replacement)
• Ensure all PPE meets ANSI standards and aerospace requirements; maintain certification and approval documentation
• Enforce PPE compliance daily; use non-compliance as training and discipline opportunity
• Audit PPE stock, fit-testing records, and compliance monthly; identify gaps and trends

Compliance & Regulatory Stewardship

• Maintain expert knowledge of OSHA 1910 standards (machinery guarding, LOTO, hazard communication, recordkeeping, reporting)
• Audit facility against OSHA requirements monthly; document findings and drive remediation to completion
• Maintain detailed incident documentation, first aid records, and regulatory correspondence
• Prepare comprehensive audit readiness files; conduct mock OSHA inspections quarterly
• Track regulatory changes and updates; implement new requirements proactively
• Prepare incident reports, citation responses, and regulatory communications

Facility Build-Out & New Equipment Safety

• Establish site-specific safety plan during facility erection; coordinate safety during construction/build-out activities
• Conduct pre-installation safety reviews for all new machinery and equipment; identify guarding and interlock requirements
• Oversee equipment installation from a safety perspective; verify compliance before putting into service
• Conduct pre-operations audit; sign-off gate before machinery activation
• Develop facility-specific hazard maps and safety zones; communicate to all personnel
• Coordinate contractors and vendors on safety requirements; enforce compliance

Incident Response & Analytics

• Establish near-miss and incident tracking system; set expectations for reporting and investigation
• Respond to incidents within 24 hours; conduct preliminary investigation and determine corrective actions
• Lead root cause analysis; develop remedial training or system improvements to prevent recurrence
• Prepare monthly incident summary with trend analysis; identify patterns and systemic issues
• Maintain compliance with recordkeeping and regulatory reporting requirements

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional occupational safety experience in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, or defense
• A.A., B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated success developing comprehensive safety training programs with competency verification
• Expert-level knowledge of OSHA 1910 standards and proven track record of compliance auditing
• Experience establishing PPE protocols, fit-testing programs, and hazard-based PPE selection
• Hands-on experience overseeing safety during facility construction, equipment installation, or site build-out
• Track record of building safety culture from ground up; leading safety programs at new or rapidly scaling facilities
• Proven autonomous decision-making in high-hazard environments; experience stopping unsafe operations
• Experience with propellant, pressure vessel, cryogenic, or high-energy equipment operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, spaceflight, or commercial space industry experience
• Experience with rocket propellant, cryogenic operations, or specialized fuel handling
• Background establishing safety programs during facility startup or rapid scaling
• Experience conducting incident investigations and root cause analysis
• Familiarity with design review processes and engineering safety integration

Knowledge & Certifications

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) OR Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
• Proficiency with occupational safety audits, hazard assessments, and compliance documentation
• Working knowledge of ANSI PPE standards, fit-testing protocols, and hazmat handling
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing or FAA-regulated environments preferred

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $170,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

Export Control Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.