Health and Safety Lead

About the role

This role owns the end-to-end Health and Safety strategy, implementation, and performance for Proxima Fusion across its European footprint. The hire will establish and drive a consistent, high-performing safety culture that supports world-class scientific and engineering delivery. They will act as the central H&S authority, translating complex regulations into practical, site-specific standards that protect people and enable breakthrough work. This position requires a proactive leader who builds trust with operations and partners to embed safety into every decision. The role offers significant scope to shape how safety is practiced in a fast-growing deep-tech company building the future of energy. You will own the continuous improvement of the HMS, ensuring it remains fit for purpose as the company scales rapidly.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Own and continuously improve Proxima Fusion's Health & Safety framework across all company locations, ensuring alignment with evolving business needs and regulatory landscapes.
• Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide H&S policies, procedures, standards, and management systems that are practical, clear, and effectively communicated.
• Ensure compliance with applicable German, Swiss, and UK health and safety regulations, staying current with legislative changes and their operational impact.
• Coordinate best practices and harmonize safety processes across laboratories, workshops, office environments, and technical facilities to eliminate inconsistencies and gaps.
• Lead risk assessments, incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action programs to prevent recurrence and drive learning.
• Conduct regular site inspections, audits, and compliance reviews across all locations, identifying opportunities for improvement and tracking remediation.
• Partner with facilities and technical teams on safe design, commissioning, and operation of laboratories, workshops, and experimental infrastructure to ensure safety is built in from the start.
• Support contractor management, permit-to-work systems, and safe working procedures, ensuring that external partners meet Proxima Fusion's standards.
• Develop and deliver H&S training, onboarding, emergency response exercises, and awareness programs that engage employees and reinforce safe behaviors.
• Build a proactive and positive safety culture through coaching, engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives that empower teams to take ownership.
• Maintain accurate H&S records, reporting dashboards, and regulatory documentation to provide transparency and support decision-making.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external inspectors, auditors, and regulatory bodies, representing Proxima Fusion professionally and competently.
• Advise leadership on strategic H&S priorities, risks, and mitigation plans, translating technical information into actionable business insights.
• Support business continuity and emergency preparedness planning across all sites, ensuring resilience in the face of operational disruptions.

Requirements

• You have significant experience in Health & Safety leadership roles within engineering, manufacturing, laboratory, industrial, deep-tech, energy, or research environments.
• You have strong knowledge of European and/or UK occupational health and safety regulations and standards, including a practical understanding of how they are applied.
• You are experienced in building and scaling H&S systems across multiple sites or international operations, navigating different regulatory contexts.
• You are confident operating in fast-moving and highly technical environments, able to understand complex systems and processes.
• You have hands-on experience with risk assessments, audits, incident investigations, and safety training, using them to drive measurable improvements.
• You are an excellent communicator who can influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, from technical specialists to executive leadership.
• You are pragmatic, organised, and solutions-oriented, balancing priorities and resources to deliver effective outcomes.
• You enjoy building processes from the ground up and driving continuous improvement with a structured, accountable approach.
• You are willing to travel periodically between Proxima Fusion sites, supporting operational needs and maintaining strong relationships.
• Ideally you possess NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH certification, or equivalent H&S qualification, demonstrating a deep understanding of professional safety standards.
• Ideally you have experience in laboratory safety, cryogenics, high-voltage systems, radiation safety, or advanced manufacturing environments, relevant to the technical context.
• Ideally you have experience supporting construction, facility build-outs, or technical infrastructure projects, ensuring safety is integrated into physical changes.
• Ideally you are familiar with ISO management systems and audit frameworks, supporting consistent performance and compliance.
• German language skills are preferred, aiding collaboration and relationship-building with local teams and authorities.

Practical notes

• Interview process: Recruiter Interview (30-60 min), Technical Screening (30-60 min), and Hiring Manager Interview (30-60 min).