Environmental Health and Safety Test Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a hands-on Environmental Health and Safety Test Engineer to embed within our test operations team and ensure all test campaigns are executed safely and in full regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and approve test procedures, hazard analyses, and safety plans for propulsion, fluids, mechanical, and high-energy test operations.
• Serve as the safety authority during hazardous test operations including energetic material handling, toxic propellant operations, high-pressure systems testing, and explosive atmosphere operations.
• Conduct Pre-Test Safety Reviews and Test Readiness Reviews to ensure all hazards are identified, controls are in place, and teams are properly trained and equipped.
• Oversee hazardous material storage, handling, transportation, and disposal operations in compliance with DOT, EPA, OSHA, and applicable state and local regulations.
• Develop and maintain site emergency response procedures including leak response, fire suppression, medical emergency, and evacuation protocols.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation for safety events, near-misses, and procedural deviations.
• Interface with range safety authorities, fire marshals, environmental agencies, and OSHA inspectors to maintain site permits and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct safety training for test personnel on hazardous material handling, PPE use, emergency response, and site-specific hazards.
• Establish and enforce PPE requirements, site access controls, and safe work practices for all test operations.
• Perform workplace exposure monitoring, industrial hygiene assessments, and environmental compliance audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental health and safety, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial hygiene, or related technical discipline.
• Years of relevant experience in EHS roles supporting aerospace test operations, energetic material handling, or hazardous chemical operations in line with engineering level.
• Hands-on experience with explosives handling, energetic materials, or high-hazard aerospace propellants and oxidizers.
• Working knowledge of hazardous material regulations including DOT 49 CFR, EPA RCRA, OSHA 29 CFR 1910/1926, California Health and Safety Code Division 20 (Hazardous Waste Control Law), EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Regulations, and NFPA codes.
• Experience conducting hazard analyses (PHA, FMEA, fault trees) and developing safety controls for high-energy test operations.
• Strong understanding of pressure systems safety, toxic gas detection, fire suppression systems, and emergency response protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to balance safety rigor with operational tempo in fast-paced test environments.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence safety culture and hold teams accountable to safety standards.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master's degree in environmental health and safety, chemical engineering, or industrial hygiene.
• Professional certifications: CSP (Certified Safety Professional), CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist), CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager), or equivalent.
• Experience with rocket propulsion testing, hypergolic propellant operations, or launch site safety operations.
• Familiarity with range safety processes, explosive safety quantity-distance (ESQD) calculations, and blast hazard analysis.
• Experience developing site-specific safety plans for remote test facilities or outdoor test ranges.
• Knowledge of environmental permitting including air quality permits, stormwater permits, and hazardous waste generator requirements.
• Experience with gas detection systems, atmospheric monitoring, and toxic exposure assessment.
• Background in chemical process safety, chemical engineering, or toxicology.
• Familiarity with DoD, NASA, or commercial space safety standards and test range requirements.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.