Laboratory Safety and Operations Lead

Castrol; Wayne (NJ); On-site; USD 109,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Castrol Americas Technology Center in Wayne, New Jersey leads HSSE for lab operations supporting automotive, industrial and EV driveline programs. The role drives safety leadership, risk assessment and controls across multi-disciplinary teams.

The position requires a degree in EHS or physical sciences, demonstrated safety leadership in lab settings, and experience with MOC, risk assessments, incident investigations and contractor management. Salary ranges shown, with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Safety leadership experience in laboratory, research and development, or similar technical environment.
• Experience supporting management of change, control of work and process safety activities in an R&D or laboratory environment.
• Experience conducting risk assessments and establishing appropriate controls for hazardous laboratory operations.
• Experience investigating safety incidents or near misses and applying root cause analysis to develop corrective actions.
• Experience managing contractors and/or third-party service providers for laboratory or technical operations.
• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical safety information to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead HSSE programs across the laboratory to ensure compliance with regulations and company requirements.
• Chair the laboratory safety committee and drive continuous improvement using safety metrics.
• Oversee facilities services and contractors responsible for lab infrastructure and day-to-day operations.
• Develop and deliver HSSE training and maintain safety policies and assurance activities.
• Lead risk assessments for hazardous lab activities and implement controls.
• Support lab projects, equipment installation, and commissioning with appropriate safety reviews.
• Investigate incidents and near misses with root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with HSSE teams and lab stakeholders on inspections, self-verifications and risk reviews.

Skills

Safety leadership

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Influencing stakeholders

Education

Degree in environmental health and safety or physical sciences

Job description

Castrol is one of the world’s leading lubricant brands, serving customers and consumers in the automotive, marine, industrial and energy sectors. Castrol brands are recognised globally for their premium quality and high performance, shaped by the company’s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. With products sold in more than 150 countries, Castrol has helped keep things moving on roads and racetracks, air, sea, and space for over 125 years.

Whether you're just starting out or ready for your next big move, you're in the right place to explore an exciting career with Castrol.

Job Description

About the team

The Castrol Americas Technology Center in Wayne, New Jersey conducts research, development, deployment and technical service activities supporting Castrol’s automotive, industrial, EV driveline and thermal management products and businesses. The team works closely with scientists, engineers, laboratory personnel, facilities partners, contractors and Castrol HSSE teams to maintain safe, reliable and effective laboratory operations.

Key Tasks

• Lead laboratory health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) programs, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulations and company requirements.
• Chair the laboratory safety committee, promote safety learning and use operational data and safety metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Manage facilities services and third‑party contractors responsible for laboratory infrastructure, equipment and day‑to‑day operational support.
• Develop, coordinate and deliver laboratory‑specific HSSE training and maintain effective safety policies, procedures and assurance activities.
• Lead and support risk assessments for hazardous laboratory activities, ensuring appropriate controls are identified and implemented.
• Support laboratory projects, equipment installation and commissioning activities, applying management of change (MOC), control of work and appropriate safety review processes.
• Investigate incidents and near misses using root cause analysis techniques and ensure appropriate corrective actions and lessons learned are implemented.
• Partner with Castrol HSSE teams and laboratory stakeholders to complete inspections, self‑verifications, risk reviews and other safety assurance activities.

Experience Required

• Degree in environmental health and safety, a physical science discipline or a related field.
• Demonstrated safety leadership experience within a laboratory, research and development or similar technical environment.
• Experience supporting management of change, control of work and process safety activities in an R&D or laboratory environment.
• Experience conducting risk assessments and establishing appropriate controls for hazardous laboratory operations.
• Experience investigating safety incidents or near misses and applying root cause analysis to develop corrective actions.
• Experience managing contractors and/or third‑party service providers supporting laboratory or technical operations.
• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical and safety information to a range of audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, effectively influencing stakeholders and constructively challenging unsafe practices.

The anticipated salary range for this position is shown below with additional market competitive benefits. Actual placement within this range will be determined by a candidate's relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.

Salary range

$109,000 - $156,000 USD

Privacy

The Castrol entity recruiting for this role is the data controller for the personal information you provide. We use it to assess your application and to manage the recruitment and onboarding process. We may share it with service providers who support our recruitment, and it may be transferred to other Castrol entities internationally under appropriate safeguards. We keep it only for as long as necessary. For details of how we use your information and your data protection rights, contact [e-mail].

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to Castrol recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.).

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.