Environmental Health & Safety Engineer (Radiation, Laser, and Chemical Safety)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

EHS ENGINEER (RADIATION, LASER, AND CHEMICAL SAFETY) 

The EHS Engineer supports SpaceX's business operations team by providing company oversight of radiation, laser, and chemical safety program development and implementation. This critical role ensures full regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and safe operations across all activities involving radiation, laser systems, and hazardous chemicals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Radiation Safety (RSO Duties):

• Serve as the primary Radiation Safety Officer for all SpaceX Texas operations, including launch, test and Starlink sites.
• Develop and enforce the Radiation Safety Program.
• Ensure compliance with NRC, Texas DSHS, and all applicable Agreement State regulations while maintaining ALARA principles during high-cadence testing and launch operations.
• Conduct radiation surveys, authorize RAM use, perform source inventories, and support emergency response for incidents.
• Interface with regulatory agencies and provide radiation safety oversight for personnel and contractors.
• Lead investigations of radiation incidents and oversee decontamination and emergency response procedures.
• Develop radiation safety training and maintain personnel exposure records.

Laser Safety (LSO Duties):

• Act as the company-wide Laser Safety Officer, ensuring compliance with ANSI Z136 standards and other applicable laser safety regulations across all SpaceX locations.
• Perform laser hazard analyses, establish Nominal Hazard Zones, and approve laser systems used in manufacturing, welding, alignment, testing, and R&D activities.
• Oversee laser eyewear programs, interlocks, and training for engineering, production, and test teams organization-wide.
• Review and approve laser installations, procedures, and modifications.
• Select and maintain appropriate laser protective equipment (eyewear, barriers, interlocks).
• Develop laser safety training and conduct regular audits of laser operations.

Chemical Hygiene & Hazardous Materials (CHO Duties):

• Serve as the Chemical Hygiene Officer across the full SpaceX organization, owning the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) and hazardous materials safety programs.
• Manage chemical inventory, hazard communication (GHS), exposure monitoring, PPE programs for propellants, hypergolics, cryogenics, composites, solvents, and other hazardous substances used in Starship/Falcon/Dragon manufacturing, testing, and launch operations.
• Develop exposure assessments, chemical approvals, fume hood/ventilation evaluations, and spill response protocols across all sites.
• Ensure strong alignment with OSHA Laboratory Standard and support safe handling of large-scale energetic and reactive materials.
• Oversee laboratory and operational safety for hazardous chemicals, including flammables, corrosives, toxics, and cryogens.
• Conduct chemical risk assessments and approve new chemical procurements and processes.

Cross-Functional Duties:

• Integrate radiation (Texas-focused), laser, and chemical safety programs into one cohesive EHS framework that supports SpaceX’s rapid iteration philosophy.
• Conduct job hazard analyses, safety reviews, and design safety input for new hardware, ground support equipment, and test stands.
• Deliver high-impact, practical safety training to technicians, engineers, and leadership with an emphasis on operational tempo and mission success.
• Lead incident investigations involving radiation, lasers, or chemicals and drive corrective actions that prevent recurrence while minimizing schedule impact.
• Prepare clear, concise reports for leadership, regulatory bodies, and audits while partnering closely with Operations, Vehicle Engineering, Propulsion, and Launch teams.
• Continuously improve safety processes to enable safer, faster, and more reliable execution of SpaceX’s mission to make humanity multiplanetary.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of relevant EHS experience, with proven hands-on management of radiation safety in a high-hazard industrial or testing environment and broad laser/chemical safety oversight.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Master’s preferred in Health Physics, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety, Chemistry, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Professional certifications strongly preferred: Certified Health Physicist (CHP), Laser Safety Officer (LSO) certification, and demonstrated Chemical Hygiene Officer experience.
• Deep knowledge of NRC/Texas regulations, ANSI Z136, OSHA 1910.1450, DOT, and EPA standards.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequent changes and high accountability.
• Background in aerospace, rocketry, defense, or large-scale test operations.
• Experience using safety management systems and working in multi-site organizations.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Willingness to be based at or travel to Starbase, Texas, with flexibility for company-wide support.
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed; flexibility is required.
• Willing to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.