Compliance Specialist V

Position Overview

This role will primarily support the Laser and Radiation Safety program through laboratory inspections, hazard assessments, equipment reviews, laser exposure calculations, and implementation of safety controls for employees working with lasers, LEDs, and X-ray generating equipment.

About the role

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in hardware R&D or laboratory environments and is passionate about maintaining safe, compliant, and efficient research operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory inspections to ensure compliance with laser and radiation safety requirements.
• Review research experiments, new equipment purchases, and hardware designs involving lasers, LEDs, and X-ray generating devices.
• Perform laser exposure calculations, including MPE, NOHD, and NHZ analyses.
• Develop, review, and approve laser safety procedures, SOPs, and hazard documentation.
• Perform X-ray leakage surveys and support radiation safety compliance activities.
• Review and approve work completed by external laser service providers.
• Recommend corrective actions and assist in resolving safety compliance issues.
• Partner with engineering, research, and EHS teams to implement effective safety controls.
• Support additional EHS initiatives including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, chemical safety, electrical safety, and laboratory safety as needed.
• Occasionally travel to support additional laboratory locations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Optical Sciences, Engineering, Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Laser Safety Officer (LSO).
• Experience working with lasers, LEDs, and X-ray generating equipment.
• Strong understanding of laser hazard analysis and laboratory safety practices.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Required Technical Skills

• Proficiency with ANSI Z136.1 - Safe Use of Lasers.
• Experience with IEC 60825 and IEC 62471.
• Knowledge of FDA/CDRH FLPPS (21 CFR 1040.10/11).
• Familiarity with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) X-ray regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as both a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
• Experience supporting hardware research, engineering, or product development laboratories.
• Knowledge of FDA/CDRH reporting requirements.
• Experience performing laser safety calculations including: Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE), Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD), and Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ).
• Experience conducting FMEA and Fault Tree Analysis.
• Board of Laser Safety Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) certification.
• Experience with RF/EMF safety or ultrasound safety.

What We're Looking For

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Able to work independently in fast-paced research environments.

Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to safety and compliance.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Able to collaborate effectively with engineering, research, and operations teams.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans).
• Supplemental coverage (accident insurance, critical illness insurance and hospital indemnity).
• 401(k)-retirement savings.
• Life & disability insurance.
• An employee assistance program.
• Legal support.
• Auto, home insurance.
• Pet insurance.
• Employee discounts with preferred vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Russell Tobin is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Fair Chance Employment

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us.