"Safety Engineer – Research Safety/Chemical Safety"

Job Summary

This position reports directly to the Director of Research Safety/Chemical Hygiene Officer within the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Research Safety Team. The role requires a combination of scientific expertise, practical laboratory experience (including bench-level research), and a strong commitment to safety and compliance. The ideal candidate will communicate effectively with researchers while implementing and enforcing safety protocols. The position adapts best practices in laboratory and workplace safety to the Institute's needs and provides training, consultation, evaluations, and hazard assessments to reduce or eliminate conditions that may lead to injury or resource loss. Through regular laboratory reviews and incident investigations, the position will identify research safety and occupational health issues and formulate hazard mitigation measures. The position may also serve as Assistant Chemical Hygiene Officer and support the implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

This is a Campus Critical position. Employees designated as Campus Critical are expected to assist in campus-wide response and recovery efforts during emergencies, reporting to campus as soon as possible.

Essential Job Duties

• Complex Project Management: Under general direction, works on complex projects and implements programs, systems, and procedures to ensure the safety and health of the campus and research community.
• Risk Assessments & Safety Solutions: Uses scientific expertise and problem-solving skills to conduct risk assessments and tailor safety solutions for specific research needs, implementing mitigation strategies.
• Technical Knowledge & Hazard Monitoring: Applies specialized technical knowledge of hazardous conditions to evaluate campus laboratories and workplaces, recommending corrective actions for risk mitigation.
• Investigations & Compliance: Performs investigative work on a wide range of research safety issues to maintain compliance with internal and external safety protocols (e.g., OSHA, EPA).
• Training & Education: Develops and delivers training on research safety topics (chemical, physical, and general safety) through various platforms (online, hands-on, written materials).
• Accountability & Reporting: Tracks safety performance metrics and issues reports to internal and external stakeholders on EH&S and research safety metrics.
• Technical & Administrative Support: Performs duties related to chemical safety, research compliance, emergency response, environmental programs, and waste management.
• Laboratory Inspections: Conducts annual and periodic laboratory inspections to ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Laboratory Design Consultation: Provides expert guidance to Planning, Design, and Construction operations during laboratory space design and renovation, ensuring safety, functionality, and compliance standards.
• Chemical Hygiene Plan Support: Assists the Institute Chemical Hygiene Officer in implementing the Chemical Hygiene Plan and conducting chemical risk assessments.
• Hazardous Material Shipping: Provides hazardous material shipping services according to DOT and IATA regulations.
• Incident Response: Serves as an incident responder to chemical or biological spills and exposures, disaster recovery efforts, and on-call rotations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintains comprehensive knowledge of relevant safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA) and stays current with EH&S practices and compliance standards.
• Other Duties: Performs additional duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant science discipline (e.g., Chemistry, Engineering).
• 2-3 years of bench-level scientific research experience, with the ability to contribute to meaningful research outcomes.
• Working knowledge of training development software (e.g., PowerPoint, Articulate 360).
• Physical ability to stand, walk, and lift tools/equipment (up to 30 lbs).
• Ability to wear a respirator and other protective equipment when working under hazardous conditions.
• Ability to work in research labs with various hazardous materials, including biohazardous and radioactive material.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ year of professional experience in a comprehensive EH&S program, ideally in a university setting.
• PhD degree in a relevant science field.
• Working knowledge of synthetic chemistry techniques and laboratory procedures.
• HAZWOPER 40h certification, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Proficiency in EH&S management systems and related software platforms.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

• $121,200 - $133,900 per year

The salary will be determined based on internal equity, experience, education, and training.

Benefits

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Onsite counseling and sick time for non-benefit eligible employees

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

For more information on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), refer to EEOC Self-Print Poster.

Disability Accommodations

If you need accommodation during the application process or any part of the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.