Director Environment Health Safety

Senior Director of Environment, Health, and Safety

The Senior Director of Environment, Health, and Safety will be responsible for developing, leading, and continuously improving the EHS programs, with a focus on the safe design, build, commissioning, and operation of the SPARC tokamak and facility. They will champion a strong safety culture throughout the organization, and work with leaders across EHSS and all departments to develop and implement a holistic and proactive approach to safety.

What you'll do:

Develop and Lead EHS Strategy:

• Build a comprehensive EHS roadmap, scaling from an early-stage operation to a global enterprise
• Champion a safety-first culture and drive continuous improvement in all EHS aspects

EHS Transformation & Industry Leadership:

• Lead the transformation to redefine EHS standards for the company and set a precedent for safe and secure operations for the fusion industry as a whole

Promote Safe Design and Construction:

• Integrate EHS considerations at every stage of design, construction, and commissioning to minimize hazards and risks
• Work closely with engineering, R&D, and operations teams to embed safety by design principles into new projects and facilities

Oversee Complex Systems and High-Risk Hazards:

• Provide EHS oversight on SPARC construction, commissioning, and operations; particularly for systems involving high voltage, high current, high pressure, heavy lifts, cryogenics, and other high-risk hazards

Collaborate Across Departments:

• Partner with leaders across the organization (including Security, Radiation Protection, Environmental Engineering, Business Continuity) to align EHS objectives with overall business goals
• Influence facility layouts, equipment selection, and operational processes with a safety lens

Lead Investigations and Continuous Improvement:

• Conduct root-cause analyses for safety incidents and near misses. Identify corrective actions and drive organization-wide learning to prevent recurrence

Ensure Regulatory Compliance:

• Manage compliance with relevant federal, state, and local EHS regulations
• Ensure all operational standards are met or exceeded

Manage and Develop the EHS Team:

• Lead a team of EHS managers and engineers, providing mentorship, professional development, and performance feedback
• Foster an environment of collaboration, accountability, and innovation

Project Lifecycle Management:

• Contribute EHS expertise throughout full project lifecycles, including construction, commissioning, startup, and handover/transition to operational teams

Budget and Resource Planning:

• Develop and manage EHS budgets, staffing plans, and project scopes
• Communicate effectively with leadership on EHS status, risks, and resource requirements

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in EHS-related discipline, engineering, or equivalent experience
• 15 years’ progressive experience in health and safety engineering and management, preferably in complex technical environments such as heavy industry, power, or advanced R&D
• Experience leading EHS functions for a company with national or global operations
• Safety certification in at least one of the following: Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Safety Manager (CSM), Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
• Proven track record of creating and implementing EHS programs
• Familiarity with chemical safety, hazard communication, and waste management
• Experience with high-voltage, high-current, pressurized systems, heavy lifts/rigging, cryogenics, and related hazards
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to collaborate across multiple levels of the organization and with external agencies
• Demonstrated success in leading, mentoring, and developing EHS teams
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills
• Strong time management and organizational capabilities
• Adept at risk assessment, problem-solving, and critical thinking
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
• Capable of inspiring change, mentoring colleagues, and driving continuous improvement in a lean, fast-paced environment

Bonus points for:

• 10 years’ experience in EHSS leadership roles for new products/industries
• Experience with the application of Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies
• Successful completion of safety management through a full project lifecycle, from early-stage design and construction through commissioning, handover, and operations
• Must-have requirements:
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call