HSE Project Manager

Bachem; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Bachem Americas is seeking an HSE Project Manager to ensure Health, Safety and Environment requirements are integrated into CAPEX projects from concept through start-up. You will serve as the site HSE SME, guiding risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and safety governance across project phases.

The role requires leadership in PSSR, safety by design, and collaboration with engineering, operations, and contractors to mitigate risks while delivering compliant, high-quality capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical / mechanical engineering, life sciences or related field.
• 8+ years chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, or comparable regulated industry.
• 5+ years proven experience supporting CAPEX projects, engineering projects, or facility expansions. Experience participating in or facilitating risk assessment methodologies. Experience working with contractors and construction safety management.
• Familiar with common risk assessment and process hazards analysis methodologies e.g. FMEA, HAZOP, LOPA, Fault Tree, Cause & Effect, etc.
• Good understanding of occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental management, fire protection, emergency response, ergonomics, and ATEX requirements.
• Knowledge of applicable HSE regulations, GMP environments, and engineering standards.
• Sound judgement and confidence to make decisions within the agreed project framework, balancing HSE, quality, schedule, cost, and operational considerations without compromising legal or critical safety requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex HSE risks and recommendations clearly to project teams, contractors, and senior management.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, layouts, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Demonstrated experience influencing senior stakeholders and making timely HSE decisions within complex, multidisciplinary project environments.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
• Strong stakeholder management and project coordination skills
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, resolve conflict constructively, and remain effective under project pressure.

Responsibilities

• Act as the HSE Subject Matter Expert (SME) for CAPEX projects and provide guidance on process safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental protection, fire protection, ATEX, ergonomics, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure HSE requirements are integrated into project concepts, layouts, equipment specifications, and engineering designs from early project phases through start-up
• Apply Safety by Design and inherently safer design principles to minimize project and operational risks
• Lead or support Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) and ensure all HSE project deliverables are completed according to project milestones
• Lead or support project risk assessments, including WHA, PHA, HAZOP, What-If Reviews, ATEX assessments, ergonomic assessments, fire risk assessments, and environmental impact assessments
• Define contractor HSE requirements, review contractor safety documentation, and support implementation of permit-to-work processes during project execution
• Ensures effective communications among other engineering disciplines.
• Monitor and report project HSE performance, communicate significant risks, escalat[ed] critical concerns, and coordinate the collection and reporting of project HSE data, KPIs, lessons learned, and continuous improvement actions
• Ensure HSE risks and requirements are addressed through project change-management processes and that agreed actions are assigned, tracked, and formally closed
• Support the HSE department with other HSE-related activities and priorities as required
• Assist in the development and implementation of the process safety management (PSM) and risk management program (RMP) Corporate requirements.

Skills

Chemical/Mechanical eng

CAPEX project experience

Risk assessment

Contractor safety management

PSSR/start-up safety

HAZOP/LOPA/FTA

Strong communication

P&ID interpretation

Analytical problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in chemical/ mechanical engineering or related

AS/BS with 8+ years in regulated industry

Job description

A Brief Overview

The HSE Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) requirements are fully integrated into capital investment (CAPEX) projects from concept and design through construction, commissioning, and start-up. As the site HSE Subject Matter Expert (SME) for projects, the role provides expert guidance to identify, assess, and mitigate project-related risks while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, corporate standards, and industry best practices. The role has the authority within the project governance framework to challenge unsafe or non-compliant decisions, require corrective actions, and recommend that work be stopped or not started where critical HSE risks are not adequately controlled. As a senior project team member, the role provides visible HSE leadership and communicates clear, practical recommendations to project and site leadership.

A Brief Overview

The HSE Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) requirements are fully integrated into capital investment (CAPEX) projects from concept and design through construction, commissioning, and start-up. As the site HSE Subject Matter Expert (SME) for projects, the role provides expert guidance to identify, assess, and mitigate project-related risks while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, corporate standards, and industry best practices. The role has the authority within the project governance framework to challenge unsafe or non-compliant decisions, require corrective actions, and recommend that work be stopped or not started where critical HSE risks are not adequately controlled. As a senior project team member, the role provides visible HSE leadership and communicates clear, practical recommendations to project and site leadership.

What You Will Do

• Act as the HSE Subject Matter Expert (SME) for CAPEX projects and provide guidance on process safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental protection, fire protection, ATEX, ergonomics, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure HSE requirements are integrated into project concepts, layouts, equipment specifications, and engineering designs from early project phases through start-up
• Apply Safety by Design and inherently safer design principles to minimize project and operational risks
• Lead or support Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) and ensure all HSE project deliverables are completed according to project milestones
• Lead or support project risk assessments, including WHA, PHA, HAZOP, What-If Reviews, ATEX assessments, ergonomic assessments, fire risk assessments, and environmental impact assessments
• Define contractor HSE requirements, review contractor safety documentation, and support implementation of permit-to-work processes during project execution
• Ensures effective communications among other engineering disciplines.
• Monitor and report project HSE performance, communicate significant risks, escalat[ed] critical concerns, and coordinate the collection and reporting of project HSE data, KPIs, lessons learned, and continuous improvement actions
• Ensure HSE risks and requirements are addressed through project change-management processes and that agreed actions are assigned, tracked, and formally closed
• Support the HSE department with other HSE-related activities and priorities as required
• Assist in the development and implementation of the process safety management (PSM) and risk management program (RMP) Corporate requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical / mechanical engineering, life sciences or related field
• Associate's in science or related field with 8+ years chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, or comparable regulated industry
• 5+years proven experience supporting CAPEX projects, engineering projects, or facility expansions. Experience participating in or facilitating risk assessment methodologies. Experience working with contractors and construction safety management. Experience in commissioning, start up activities, and pre-start up safety is desirable
• Familiar with common risk assessment and process hazards analysis methodologies e.g. FMEA, HAZOP, LOPA, Fault Tree, Cause & Effect, etc.
• Good understanding of occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental management, fire protection, emergency response, ergonomics, and ATEX requirements
• Knowledge of applicable HSE regulations, GMP environments, and engineering standards
• Sound judgement and confidence to make decisions within the agreed project framework, balancing HSE, quality, schedule, cost, and operational considerations without compromising legal or critical safety requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex HSE risks and recommendations clearly to project teams, contractors, and senior management
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, layouts, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
• Demonstrated experience influencing senior stakeholders and making timely HSE decisions within complex, multidisciplinary project environments
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
• Strong stakeholder management and project coordination skills
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, resolve conflict constructively, and remain effective under project pressure

Base salary range: $98,408 - $135,311

Placement of new hires in this wage range is based on several factors including education, skill sets, experience, and training.

Total Rewards

We offer all Team Members a total rewards package including competitive pay, annual performance bonus, a generous benefit package with comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision coverage, 401(k) plan with employer contribution, and paid vacation, personal and sick days.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Bachem takes responsibility for future generations by a careful handling of resources and avoiding environmental risks. We continually improve our ecological performance and develop and implement new approaches for enhancing employees’ environmental awareness. EcoVadis has awarded Bachem Gold Medal status in their assessment of Bachem.

Bachem Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate the diversity of our team and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where individuals are hired and advanced based on merit, skills, and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other legally protected status.