Principal Consultant, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)

ERM; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 138,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to lead safety programs and drive regulatory compliance for diverse clients across technology, biopharma, and advanced manufacturing. Based in the Seattle area with extensive travel, you will mentor consultants, manage complex projects, and deliver measurable safety improvements.

You will design and implement safety plans, perform risk assessments, and partner with ERM’s global network to ensure high standards of

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master in Safety, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, or related science degree.
• 6+ years of EHS experience in technology, biopharma, manufacturing, or energy sectors.
• Strong knowledge of Washington, Oregon, and federal EHS regulations.
• Ability to manage projects, budgets, and teams.
• General safety experience with strong OSHA knowledge.
• Expertise in hazard recognition, JHA, emergency planning, risk assessment, incident investigation, machine guarding, chemical and electrical safety, LOTO.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance and reporting processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong organizational/analytic skills.
• Driver's license and ability to travel to client locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and improve safety programs addressing audits, safety basics, chemical and lab safety, electrical safety, and NFPA 70E.
• Conduct audits, JHAs, risk assessments, industrial hygiene evaluations to ensure OSHA compliance and client standards.
• Support client safety performance through training, field coaching, and safety committee participation.
• Analyze safety data, prepare reports, and provide actionable insights to reduce hazards and improve compliance.
• Serve as trusted safety advisor for labs, facilities, or programs, elevating worker safety needs.
• Develop EHS procedures, plans, permits, and risk management systems for client operations.
• Build client relationships, deliver exceptional service, and pursue new business opportunities.
• Lead large multidisciplinary projects within ERM's global network to solve client challenges.
• Support ERM Partners and PMs in delivering projects that meet financial and satisfaction targets.

Skills

EHS experience

Regulatory knowledge

Project management

OSHA knowledge

Hazard recognition

Emergency planning

JHA

Machine guarding

Chemical safety

Electrical safety

Regulatory reporting

Communication skills

Documentation

Driver's license

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor or Master in Safety, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, or related science

Job description

Drive safety excellence in one of the world's most innovative technology environments.

Ready to lead transformative safety initiatives for some of the world’s most innovative companies? Join ERM, the largest global team of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals, and help shape the future of sustainability and workplace safety for tech giants, biopharma leaders, and advanced manufacturers.

Why This Role Matters?

As a Principal Consultant, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) within the Seattle greater area, Washington, you’ll be at the forefront of creating safer workplaces, driving compliance, and influencing strategic decisions that protect people and the planet.

What Your Impact Is:

• Drive strategic growth for ERM’s Health & Safety Services.
• Build and nurture trusted relationships with senior leaders in Technology, BioPharma, Power, Media, and Telecommunications sectors.
• Lead transformative EHS programs that improve safety performance, reduce risk, and deliver measurable business value.
• Inspire and mentor a team of expert consultants, fostering innovation and operational excellence.

What You'll Bring:

Required

• Bachelor or Master in Safety, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, or related science degree.
• 6 + years of relevant EHS experience, ideally within technology, biopharma, manufacturing, or energy sectors.
• Strong knowledge of Washington, Oregon, and federal EHS regulations.
• Ability to manage projects, budgets, and teams.
• General safety experience with strong knowledge of OSHA requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise in hazard recognition, Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), emergency response planning, risk assessment processes, incident response and investigation, machine guarding, chemical safety, and electrical safety/Lockout Tagout (LOTO).
• Demonstrated understanding of regulatory compliance and reporting processes.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with strong organizational and analytical capabilities.
• Experience documenting, recording, and preparing technical reports and safety-related documentation.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• Existing certification or progress toward Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Associate Safety Professional (ASP) credential(s).
• Experience supporting high-tech manufacturing, laboratory, or R&D environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve innovative safety programs that help local and global clients address complex safety challenges, including audits and assessments, behavior-based safety, biohazards, chemical and lab safety, electrical safety and NFPA 70E, fire prevention, industrial hygiene, laser safety, LOTO, machine guarding, process hazard assessments, robotics safety, data analysis, and safety process improvement.
• Conduct audits, Job Hazard Analyses, risk assessments, industrial hygiene evaluations, and targeted EHS assessments in manufacturing, high-tech R&D, laboratory, and other complex client environments to evaluate compliance with OSHA requirements, applicable regulations, client standards, and management systems.
• Support client safety performance through training, field coaching, Safety Committee participation, safety walks, Emergency Response Plan development and drills, incident response and near-miss investigations, and practical improvement recommendations.
• Analyze safety and EHS data, prepare clear activity reports and technical deliverables, and provide actionable insights to reduce hazards, improve compliance, and strengthen operational performance.
• Serve as a trusted safety advisor for assigned labs, equipment, facilities, or programs by recognizing hazards, strengthening hazard controls, elevating worker safety needs, and recommending practical solutions to site EHS leadership.
• Develop EHS compliance procedures, plans, permits, reports, and risk management systems that support safe, compliant, and efficient client operations.
• Build strong client relationships, deliver exceptional service, and identify and secure new business opportunities through technical proposals and trusted advisory support.
• Design, lead, and deliver large-scale safety programs and multidisciplinary project teams while collaborating across ERM’s global network to solve complex client challenges.
• Support ERM Partners and Project Managers in managing and delivering projects that achieve financial targets, client satisfaction, operational excellence, and differentiated market value.

For the Principal Consultant, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) position, the anticipated annual base pay is $138,400–$170,600 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world‑class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!