Site EHS Lead, Data Center Operations

About the role

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. Our GPU cloud bolsters technical capabilities and directly supports strategic business outcomes, including cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility.

The Site EHS Lead, Data Center Operations, serves as the on-the-ground safety subject matter expert (SME) for data center operations, partnering closely with Ops, construction, and engineering teams to keep mission-critical facilities safe, compliant, and running at peak reliability. This role also serves as the site lead for high-risk work processes, including Permit-to-Work administration and operational safety readiness. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, building trusted relationships across cross-functional teams, and flexing between hands-on field work and program-level thinking.

What You’ll Be Doing (Responsibilities)

• Serve as the primary EHS SME for site Operations, providing technical guidance on electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), arc flash (NFPA 70E), confined space, working at heights, and other critical facility hazards.
• Conduct routine safety inspections, audits, workplace risk assessments, and administer the site's Permit-to-Work program for energized work, LOTO, confined space entry, hot work, excavation, and work at height.
• Partner directly with Ops, construction, and engineering teams to review procedures (MOPs/EOPs/SOPs/JHAs), identify hazards during critical operations (e.g., live switching, commissioning), and ensure safe work practices are followed.
• Lead incident and near-miss investigations and root cause analysis, so corrective and preventive actions are identified, tracked, and closed out.
• Deliver and coordinate safety training, inductions, and toolbox talks for employees and contractors.
• Manage contractor safety qualification, oversight, and compliance during onsite work.
• Support emergency response planning, high-risk-activity protocols, and emergency preparedness drills for the site.
• Analyze leading and lagging safety metrics (observations, near misses, incidents, corrective actions) and regularly present findings to site leadership and the EHS Senior Leadership.
• Champion a proactive safety culture, coaching and advising site teams on hazard recognition and safe behaviors, and influencing outcomes without direct authority.
• Escalate systemic risks or compliance gaps to the EHS leadership and support broader EHS program initiatives, including EHS management system implementation, as needed.

Required (Skills / Qualifications)

• 3-5 years of EHS experience specifically within a data center environment (required — candidates without direct data center experience will not be considered).
• Working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards (1910), including electrical safety, LOTO, confined space, and fall protection; working familiarity with NFPA 70E (arc-flash boundaries, incident-energy labeling, energized-work permits).
• Demonstrated experience implementing electrical safety programs in high-voltage operational environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing EHS activities within a critical infrastructure environment, including oversight of high-risk operations such as construction, equipment installation, and commissioning.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and build credibility with Ops, engineering, and construction stakeholders.
• Strong field presence — comfortable spending significant time on the data center floor and job sites, not just at a desk.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to advise, coach, and influence without direct authority.
• Experience using an EHS management system such as VelocityEHS or a similar platform (e.g., Intelex, Cority) for inspections, incident tracking, and corrective action management.
• Bachelor's degree in EHS, Occupational Safety, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Experience with ISO management system standards (e.g., ISO 45001 occupational health & safety, ISO 14001 environmental management) a plus, even though this role supports U.S. operations only.
• Experience supporting both operational and construction/commissioning phases through facility/operational readiness turnover.
• Safety certification such as OSHA 30, ASP, or working toward CSP.
• Familiarity with EHS management/incident tracking software (e.g, VelocityEHS, ).