Lab Safety Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

We are seeking a Safety Manager to design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) program for our new industrial campus. This is a "foundational" role; you won't just be maintaining a program—you will be standing it up. You will lead a process safety initiative, define the safety culture, establish standardized operating procedures (SOPs), and ensure full compliance with federal and state regulations (OSHA/EPA) from day one.

Role will be at newly initiated Minnesota Aerospace Complex. This is a state-of-the-are aerospace research and test facility currently under development in Rosemount, Minnesota. It is intended to be the most advanced aerospace testing site in the United States, specifically focusing on hypersonic flight. The campus will incorporate multiple test facilities, fabrication facilities, and storage buildings.

Core Responsibilities

• Point of Contact – Serve as primary point of contact between the facility and stakeholders including third party engineers and regulators.
• Management - Supervise and lead the campus SH&E team.
• Process Safety Management – Lead a process safety management program including directing best practices from design commencement through operation for multiple facilities on our aerospace campus. Support a rigorous hazard evaluation process and emphasize comprehensive risk mitigation. Our planned campus includes an aerothermal test facility with unique combustion processes and fuel systems.
• Process Hazard Analyses - Participate in the hazard analysis process.
• Program Development: Oversee implementation of the Campus Safety Management System (SMS), including Emergency Response Plans, Hazard Communication, Confined Spaces, LASER safety, cryogenics, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) programs.
• Campus Integration: Partner with Facilities and Operations to ensure safety is integrated into the layout of the campus, including machine guarding, pedestrian-vehicle interface, and hazardous material and flammable fluid storage.
• Regulatory Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for OSHA, EPA, and local fire marshals during inspections and permitting processes.
• Risk Assessment: Conduct comprehensive Job Hazard Analyses (JHA) and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) for all new equipment and industrial processes.
• Training Leadership: Oversee development, delivery and recording keeping for safety training including safety onboarding for all site personnel and contractors, visitor safety, and specialized training including ensuring 100% compliance with safety certifications and regulations.
• Incident Management: Lead all incident investigations, root cause analysis (RCA), and the implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Position requires a BA/BS degree from an accredited university in a biological, physical, engineering, or environmental science related field. Preference given for Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Engineering, or Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Experience: 7+ years of safety experience in a heavy industrial environment (e.g., manufacturing, chemical, or aerospace), with at least 2 years in a leadership or program "stand-up" capacity.
• Regulatory Mastery: Expert knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) and NFPA 70E standards.
• Leadership: Proven ability to influence site-wide culture and secure "buy-in" from both executive leadership and frontline technicians.
• PSM Exposure: Exposure to OSHA’s 14 element PSM program and/or 20 element Risk-Based Process Safety program as defined by the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS)

Preferred Skills

• Construction-to-Ops: Experience transitioning a site from the construction phase (OSHA 1926) to full operational status (OSHA 1910).
• Software Systems: Proficiency in EHS Management Software (e.g., Enablon or VelocityEHS) for tracking metrics and audits.
• ISO Standards: Experience implementing ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) frameworks.
• Regulatory Expertise: Deep familiarity with NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety) and NFPA 45 (Lab Fire Protection) and NFPA 1.
• Certifications: Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation is highly preferred. CHMM, HAZWOPER, Incident Commander, and similar additional certifications are desirable.

Security: This position requires a security clearance, which necessitates U.S. citizenship. Employment will be contingent on candidate being able to obtain a security clearance.

Working Conditions

• This role requires frequent movement across a large industrial campus, including climbing stairs/ladders and entering production areas where PPE (steel-toed boots, safety glasses, hearing protection) is mandatory.