Environmental Health & Safety Lead
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Skills
About the role
ABOUT US:
Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.
WHO WE ARE:
We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.
WHO YOU ARE:
Astro Mechanica is looking for a hands-on Environmental Health & Safety Lead to own safety for our test operations first and build the EHS function from there. You will work directly with engineering, test, manufacturing, facilities, and leadership to make high-energy work — combustion testing, fuels, high-pressure systems, rotating equipment, and high voltage — safer, more repeatable, and easier to execute responsibly. This is not a desk-only compliance role: you will spend real time on the production floor, in labs, and at test sites, leading training, participating in test readiness reviews, verifying controls in the field, and solving problems in real time. You will build a proportionate EHS system that scales as we add people, equipment, facilities, and test activity. Your first priority is a safety baseline for our test site, then the permits and programs that support it.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Define and put in place the safety baseline for our test operations and new test site, including the site safety plan, emergency response, test readiness reviews, and the programs California requires (such as the Injury and Illness Prevention Program)
Build the EHS program in phases, starting with test site safety and extending to manufacturing: risk register, written programs, training matrix, inspections, and corrective-action process
Select and manage EHS consultants and training providers, and decide what the company needs now versus later
Turn requests from engineering, test, and facilities into one prioritized EHS plan
Own core safety programs, including LOTO, electrical safety, hot work, confined space, fall protection, chemical safety, and PPE
Lead hazard analyses, test readiness reviews, and management of change for combustion, fuel, high-pressure, and high-voltage testing
Deliver hands-on training and field support for commissioning, heavy lifts, rigging, forklifts, and aerial lifts
Own permitting and agency engagement with Cal/OSHA, fire departments, CUPAs, and BAAQMD; start with the permits that gate test operations, including fuel delivery, then air and environmental permits; keep records inspection-ready
Build emergency response plans and lead incident investigations that drive corrective actions to closure
Plan EHS requirements for the manufacturing floor ahead of its build-out, including needed certifications and programs (for example, whether a drug testing program applies)
Respond to agency citations and charges in partnership with legal counsel
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
7+ years of EHS experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, energy, or other high-consequence hardware environments
Proven track record standing up EHS programs from scratch or near scratch in a startup or rapidly scaling operation
Ability to execute a defined safety plan yourself first and grow the function as the company scales; we are hiring an owner and doer before a department head
Deep working knowledge of Cal/OSHA, including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, and core programs such as LOTO, machine guarding, electrical safety, and industrial hygiene
Hands-on experience with high-hazard operations, ideally testing of high-voltage, electricity-producing machines, along with combustion testing, pressure systems, fuels, or crane and rigging
Experience securing permits and working with fire departments, CUPAs, air districts, and other AHJs
Experience selecting and managing EHS consultants and training providers
Sound judgment under pressure: you make the call when work is unsafe and help redesign it so it can proceed
Aerospace propulsion or hot-fire test experience.
Credentials such as CSP, CIH, CHMM, or HAZWOPER are a plus
PERKS & BENEFITS:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
Flexible work environment
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.
Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.