Our client is an AI and physical sciences company running a high-throughput materials lab, where hazardous and air-sensitive chemistry, high-temperature and high-pressure processing, and thin-film deposition run around the clock, much of it autonomously overnight. With reactive chemistry as the lab s primary hazard and new lab space coming online, they re looking for a senior, hands-on process safety expert who can work through the details with scientists while building the review processes a growing team depends on. Along the way, you ll also help teach the company s AI to reason about hazards as it plans experiments.

What you ll do:

Run hazard analysis for new chemistries and processes. This includes HAZOPs, PHAs, FMEAs and reactivity assessments, from lab scale through scale-up.

Build the safety review pipeline:

how scientists, engineers and technicians submit work for review, with enough time and flow to analyze it properly. Set up readiness for autonomous operation: pre-startup safety reviews, commissioning, alarm rationalization and equipment inspections. Design and review life safety systems with the controls and automation teams. That covers toxic gas detection, interlocks, e-stops, fire suppression, scrubbers, safety PLCs and robotics safety. Extend the existing EHS program (permitting, chemical inventory, hazard communication, inspections) to new lab spaces. Work with ML engineers to teach a model to reason about process hazards and safety constraints. Be visible in the lab and build a safety culture that the scientists buy into.

Must-haves:

Deep expertise in reactive chemistry and chemical hazards. You have spent years judging whether a new chemistry or process can run safely. Senior experience in process safety, EHS or chemical operations in a lab, pilot plant or manufacturing setting. Hands-on experience leading HAZOPs, FMEAs or similar risk assessments. Experience designing or reviewing functional safety systems. You want to work in the field, on site, in a lab with a changing hazard profile.

Nice-to-haves:

Membership on an NFPA, OSHA or IEC standards or technical committee. CSP or CIH certification. Experience with solid-state chemistry, materials processing or lab automation. Experience with a new lab build-out, including permitting and safety design alongside construction. Experience with, or strong interest in, AI/ML tools for risk assessment or experiment planning. People leadership experience.

Location:

Menlo Park, CA (on-site, in the lab) Work model: Full-time on-site Employment type:

Full-time Salary:

$250,000 - $325,000 per year, plus equity Visa sponsorship: Available