Sr. Environmental Health & Safety Engineer

About the role

You will join the Starship development team to manage environmental, health, and safety protocols at the test and production site. This role requires a hands-on professional to integrate safety standards into high-speed rocket manufacturing and testing operations. You will partner with engineering and production teams to embed safety into every phase of development. The position demands rigorous attention to detail and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You will be responsible for ensuring that safety is not an afterthought but a foundational element of the workflow. This role is critical in maintaining a secure workplace while enabling ambitious project timelines. Your work will directly influence the integrity of operations at the Starbase facility.

Location: USA

Engagement: Full-time, on-site

Team: Starship

What you'll do

• Evaluate hazardous operations alongside engineers and technicians to maintain safety standards.
• Lead investigations into incidents, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure site compliance with OSHA, NFPA, NIOSH, EPA, CERCLA, RCRA, DOT, ATF, TCEQ, and TRRC regulations.
• Create and manage safety programs covering cryogenics, HAZCOM, confined spaces, fall protection, and radiation.
• Oversee environmental programs including Title V air permitting, SPCC, SWPPP, and hazardous waste management.
• Perform facility and equipment inspections to identify risks and verify regulatory adherence.
• Develop emergency response plans for fire or spill scenarios.
• Design safety solutions using the order of precedence, from elimination to PPE, to manage risk.
• Conduct pre-task reviews to identify potential hazards before work begins on complex operations.
• Support the development and implementation of process safety management systems for high-hazard activities.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies during inspections and audits to ensure smooth operations.
• Analyze safety data to identify trends and drive proactive improvements across the site.
• Train personnel on safety protocols, ensuring comprehension and adherence to company standards.
• Monitor changes in regulations and translate them into actionable updates for teams on the ground.
• Document all safety audits, inspections, and corrective actions to maintain accurate records for regulatory review.
• Liaise with cross-functional teams to ensure safety protocols align with production schedules and engineering changes.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance site safety performance metrics.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree.
• 5+ years of experience in environmental, health, and safety oversight.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, asylee, or refugee to meet ITAR requirements.
• Ability to work on-site in the Brownsville, TX area.
• Availability for extended hours and weekends as required by project schedules.
• Strong understanding of industrial hygiene principles and exposure assessment techniques.
• Familiarity with rocket test and production environments is essential for success in this role.
• Capability to work independently and make sound judgments in situations with limited supervision.
• Willingness to adhere to strict SpaceX policies regarding safety and operational integrity.
• Physical ability to perform inspections and walk through varied site conditions as needed.
• Commitment to maintaining a zero-incident mindset in all daily activities.
• Willingness to engage with high-pressure scenarios while maintaining composure and professionalism.
• Alignment with SpaceX mission-driven approach to advancing aerospace technology.

Nice to have

• Bachelor degree in engineering with a focus on environmental or occupational health and safety.
• Background in construction safety.
• Experience with pressure systems, chemical delivery, and process safety management.
• Proficiency in interpreting and documenting complex federal and state environmental regulations.
• Experience managing emergency response communications for hazardous material releases.
• Knowledge of FAA and local jurisdictional safety requirements for commercial spaceflight operations.
• Experience with incident investigation tools and safety management system software.
• Understanding of hazardous materials inventory reporting and Tier II/EPCRA compliance.

Skills & tools

• Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Practical notes

• This role is not remote or hybrid. Relocation is required if you are not currently local to the Brownsville area.
• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for the application process are available upon request.