EHS Engineer at Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

22 Dec, 25

Salary

145000.0

Posted On

23 Sep, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

EHS Compliance, Regulatory Standards, Hazardous Waste Management, Safety Procedures, Training Development, Emergency Response, Chemical Hazards, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Microsoft Office, Atlassian Suites, Organizational Skills, Self-Starter, Ingenuity, Customer Service

Industry

Defense and Space Manufacturing

Description

About Varda Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL (coming soon). Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem. About This Role Varda Space Industries is looking for an Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Engineer to support our facilities and labs on Earth. Varda is a fast paced and challenging environment. EHS team members must be comfortable working on complex chemical and physical systems ranging from chemical propulsion, to pharmaceuticals, to spacecraft development. This position requires strong overall technical skills, excellent customer service, and effective organizational management. The candidate should be a self-starter, self-motivator, and possess ingenuity to work in this novel environment. Knowledge of regulatory and environmental policies at the local, state and federal level, and experience in building and implementing EHS policies in a startup environment, are integral to the success of this role. The selected candidate must have strong overall technical skills, excellent customer service skills, and superior organizational and prioritization management skills. The candidate should also be a self-starter, self-motivator and possess ingenuity to excel at this position. Responsibilities Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulatory standards (e.g., Cal/OSHA, Cal/EPA, RCRA, SCAQMD, DOT, CA Fire Code), including recordkeeping and reporting requirements Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., NIOSH, ANSI, NFPA), where applicable Conduct root cause corrective action (RCCA) investigations as needed, working closely with leadership to implement any corrective actions to mitigate EHS risks Oversee accumulation and disposal of hazardous waste, including routine inspections Ensure safe handling and processing of pharmaceuticals through laboratory and equipment design, and development and implementation of safety procedures/systems Ensure safe handling of chemicals and hazardous materials through Hazard Communication (HazCom) program elements (e.g., SDS management, container labeling) and control measures (e.g., PPE) Keep up to date with new regulations and industry standards, updating internal EHS policies and procedures to maintain compliance Implement and manage EHS training program – developing in-house courses applicable to Varda operations, coordinating and administering training sessions, and managing training requirements and recordkeeping Coordinate emergency response procedures, develop/maintain site emergency action plan, and organize emergency drills and related training (e.g., first aid/CPR/AED) Support regular maintenance and inspection of safety systems and equipment (e.g., emergency eyewashes/showers, fire extinguishers, fire alarm and suppression systems) Build out and maintain EHS data management system functionality and user interface Develop and implement periodic inspection program to proactively identify and mitigate EHS risks Develop and implement internal EHS audit program to ensure efficacy of periodic inspection program Support contractor safety program to ensure planned work procedures include adequate safety controls Implement and support other EHS programs, including (but not limited to) electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), fall protection, powered industrial trucks (PITs), machine guarding, cranes/hoists, confined spaces, ergonomics, hearing conservation, respiratory protection, air quality, and heat illness prevention Basic Qualifications 5+ years of relevant EHS experience in an engineering, pharmaceutical or manufacturing environment Bachelor’s degree in EHS-related field (e.g., occupational safety & health, environmental engineering/safety, physical sciences) Extensive knowledge of California environmental (e.g., Cal/EPA, DTSC, SCAQMD) and health/safety (e.g., Cal/OSHA) standards and regulations Experience with developing and administering EHS training material tailored to business operations Expertise in managing chemical hazards and HazCom (e.g., safety data sheets [SDS], primary/secondary labeling, hazardous properties and compatibility) Experience with managing hazardous waste accumulation and disposal Ability to make decisions and recommendations about complex EHS situations and topics when the solution is not clear Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Atlassian suites Physically capable of performing tasks with prolonged standing/walking (e.g., inspections) and lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds at a time Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment Preferred Qualifications Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and/or equivalent professional certification Master’s degree in EHS-related field (e.g., occupational safety & health, environmental engineering/safety, physical sciences) Experience in developing EHS policies and systems from the ground-up in a startup environment Experience in developing and implementing safety procedures for high-hazard operations (e.g., propulsion testing, heavy machinery operation, chemical handling/storage) Experience in designing, implementing and maintaining EHS data management systems Knowledge of and/or experience with industrial hygiene sampling (e.g., airborne chemicals, dusts, noise, radiation) Knowledge of and/or experience with environmental permitting (e.g., air quality, stormwater, industrial wastewater) Knowledge of and/or experience with pharmaceutical hygiene and safety (e.g., potent compounds, biohazards) Additional Details and Compensation Salary range: $113,000 - $145,000 This is a full-time on-site role based in El Segundo, CA Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards Offer compensation also includes the ability to purchase company stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan ITAR Requirements Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.) Learn more about the ITAR here. Benefits Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded) 401(k) matching (interns excluded) Unlimited PTO (interns excluded) Health insurance, including Vision and Dental Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week. Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded) Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status. E-Verify Statement Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program. E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice Read more Read more

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards and conduct root cause corrective action investigations. Oversee hazardous waste disposal and implement EHS training programs.