ESS Safety Manager

BYD North America; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BYD North America is seeking a Safety Manager to lead the design and implementation of the company’s Environmental, Health, and Safety programs across battery energy storage systems (BESS) manufacturing, warehousing, installation, and field operations. The role ensures OSHA compliance, hazard mitigation, incident investigations, and a strong safety culture throughout the organization.

You will develop safety procedures for lithium-ion batteries, conduct audits, perform JHAs, and coordinate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, EHS, Industrial Safety, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive safety/EHS experience, preferably in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety practices.
• Experience conducting incident investigations, hazard assessments, and safety audits.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies and programs.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and local safety regulations.
• Lead investigations into injuries, near misses, and incidents.
• Develop and coordinate employee safety training and orientation sessions.
• Manage PPE program and ensure proper use of protective equipment.
• Oversee safety for BESS installation, commissioning, and field operations.

Skills

Safety management

Incident investigations

Hazard assessment

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety / EHS

Tools

MS Office

JHA tools

Job description

BYD America Corporation/ BYD Motors, Inc./BYD Coach &Bus LLC/BYD Energy LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

Position Summary

The Safety Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the Company's Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs across battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing, warehouse, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and field operations. This position ensures compliance with applicable OSHA and regulatory requirements, identifies and mitigates workplace hazards, investigates incidents, manages safety training, and promotes a strong safety culture throughout the organization.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Develop, implement, and maintain Company safety policies, procedures, and programs.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations.
• Manage safety programs including Hazard Communication, LOTO, PPE, electrical safety, emergency response, fall protection, machine safety, and other applicable programs.
• Develop and maintain safety procedures specific to lithium-ion batteries and BESS operations, including thermal runaway, fire, electrical, chemical, and stored-energy hazards.
• Conduct routine facility, field, and project safety inspections and audits.
• Perform Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), risk assessments, and safety reviews for new equipment, processes, and projects.
• Lead investigations of injuries, near misses, property damage, battery incidents, and other safety events.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and coordinate employee safety training, orientations, toolbox talks, and refresher training.
• Manage the Company's PPE program and ensure appropriate PPE is identified, provided, and properly used.
• Oversee contractor and visitor safety requirements.
• Support safety activities for BESS installation, commissioning, maintenance, and field service operations.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans, including procedures for battery fires, thermal runaway, electrical incidents, chemical exposure, and other emergencies.
• Maintain OSHA records, safety documentation, training records, inspection reports, and incident documentation.
• Track safety metrics and provide regular reports and recommendations to management.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, HR, and Project Management to identify and resolve safety concerns.
• Promote employee participation, hazard reporting, accountability, and continuous improvement of the Company's safety culture.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bachelor's degree in occupational safety, EHS, Industrial Safety, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive safety/EHS experience, preferably in manufacturing, electrical, energy, construction, or industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety practices.
• Experience conducting incident investigations, hazard assessments, and safety audits.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, supervisors, managers, contractors, and senior leadership.

Preferred

• Experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), lithium-ion batteries, renewable energy, or electrical systems.
• Experience with high-voltage and electrical safety.
• OSHA 30-hour certification.
• CSP, ASP, CHST, or other recognized safety certification.
• Experience with ISO 45001, NFPA standards, or safety management systems.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong execution skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative thinking and ability to shift gears quickly.
• Thoroughness and always with customer/client focus.
• Demonstrated problem solving, troubleshooting, root cause analysis and countermeasure identification skills related to ESS.
• MS Office skills.
• Time management and organization skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position may require work in manufacturing facilities, warehouses, construction sites, customer locations, and BESS project sites. The Safety Manager may be exposed to electrical equipment, batteries, machinery, chemicals, noise, heat, dust, and other industrial hazards and must use required PPE.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

POSITION TYPE

This is a full-time position.

TRAVEL

75%

As set forth in BYD North America's Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.