Lead EHS Engineer, Fire Safety & Emergency Response

InvestedintheMission; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Lead EHS Engineer, Fire Safety & Emergency Response to lead the Fire Safety & Emergency Response Engineering team. You will guide risk assessments, fire protection reviews, and emergency planning across facilities.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years in environmental health and safety, leadership experience, and strong knowledge of fire protection standards (NFPA, OSHA). Expect travel and extended hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 5+ years in EHS with emphasis on fire safety engineering and emergency response disciplines.
• 3+ years leading technical/engineering teams.
• Experience with fire protection system design/review and fire risk assessment methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day activities, priorities, and performance of the EHS Fire Safety & Emergency Response Engineering team, including performance management and hiring.
• Oversee operational budgets for Fire Safety & Emergency Response programs.
• Develop engineering-based solutions to improve workplace fire safety, reduce incidents, and strengthen emergency response capabilities.
• Review and interpret fire safety regulations, codes, and standards and provide clear guidance to management and engineering teams.
• Provide training, coaching, and technical guidance on fire risk assessments, ITM procedures, PHAs/HAZOPs, JHA, and safe work practices.
• Lead development and implementation of fire safety-in-design specifications for existing and future equipment, facilities, and processes.

Skills

Fire safety engineering

Emergency response planning

Leadership

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering or related

Professional certifications (CFPS/CSP/CEM/PE)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

LEAD EHS ENGINEER, FIRE SAFETY & EMERGENCY RESPONSE

• Lead and manage the day-to-day activities, priorities, and performance of the EHS Fire Safety & Emergency Response Engineering team (engineers specializing in Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Risk Assessment, Emergency Response Planning, and Incident Command/Preparedness), including performance management and hiring processes.
• Oversee operational budgets for Fire Safety & Emergency Response programs.
• Develop practical, engineering-based solutions that improve workplace fire safety, reduce fire-related incidents and mitigate exposure, strengthen emergency response capabilities, drive cross-functional engagement, and advance the overall EHS program.
• Review and interpret new and proposed fire safety rules, regulations, codes, and standards and provide clear technical guidance to management and engineering teams.
• Provide training, coaching, and technical guidance to direct reports and stakeholders on fire risk assessments, fire protection system reviews, Inspection/Testing/Maintenance (ITM) procedures, emergency action plans, process hazard analyses with fire/explosion focus (PHAs/HAZOPs), job hazard analyses (JHAs), safe work procedures, hot work permits, emergency drills/exercises, and other key risk management and engineering control tools.
• Hold routine multi-disciplinary Fire Safety & Emergency Response Engineering reviews and steering meetings to drive execution of EHS performance across respective disciplines.
• Perform fire safety engineering compliance audits, fire risk assessments, emergency response capability evaluations, fire protection system reviews, and process safety analyses with fire/explosion emphasis; oversee the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) of fire protection and life-safety systems across facility operations; collaborate with engineering, operations, facilities, purchasing, and project leadership to proactively ensure SpaceX fire safety and emergency response requirements are met and built-in to company processes.
• Lead the development and implementation of fire safety-in-design specifications and requirements for existing and future equipment, facilities, and processes, ensuring risk assessment principles and life-safety considerations are integrated throughout the lifecycle.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of experience in the design, development, and operational oversight of environmental, health, and safety programs with an emphasis on fire safety engineering and emergency response disciplines.
• 3+ years leadership experience managing technical/engineering teams.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, Emergency Management, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field (emphasis in fire protection or emergency response preferred).
• Demonstrated strong organizational and communication skills with a clear aptitude and desire to lead people and technical teams.
• Hands-on experience leading multi-site or multi-discipline fire safety and emergency response programs in high-risk or complex industrial/manufacturing environments.
• Able to review engineering drawings, assess fire safety-in-design opportunities (detection, suppression, egress, compartmentation), and lead technical risk engineering solutions.
• Strong knowledge and experience interpreting, applying, and documenting federal, state, and local fire and occupational safety regulations and standards (OSHA, NFPA, IFC/IBC, ANSI, etc.).
• Experience with fire protection system design/review, Inspection/Testing/Maintenance (ITM) programs, maintenance strategies, fire risk assessment and intervention, emergency action planning and drills, process hazard analysis (PHA/HAZOP) focused on fire/explosion scenarios, and related engineering controls.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
• Professional certifications such as CFPS, CSP, CEM, PE (Fire Protection), or equivalent preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours, weekends, and travel to operational and manufacturing sites as needed.
• Must be able to work in industrial/manufacturing environments and wear required personal protective equipment.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s ... or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].