Manufacturing, Engineering Services

Head of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)

El Segundo, CAOnsiteFull TimeManager / Head$190,000–$230,000 /yrPosted 24 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

EHS strategy
EHS standards
EHS management system
OSHA
EPA
manufacturing environments
lab environments
cleanroom environments
incident reporting
incident investigation

Nice to have

defense
aerospace
government contractor
secure-facility contractor
cleanroom safety
controlled-environment safety

Role summary

CHAOS Industries, a defense technology company, seeks a Head of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to establish and lead its EHS function. This role involves building the EHS strategy, standards, and management system from the ground up across a global, multi-site portfolio including manufacturing, labs, and offices. The Head of EHS will manage and mentor a team of EHS Managers, ensure regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, international), oversee safety programs for diverse environments, lead incident investigations, and manage emergency preparedness. Responsibilities also include hazardous materials management, industrial hygiene, contractor safety, EHS training, and internal audits. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of progressive EHS experience, including 3-5 years in leadership, with a strong background in manufacturing or lab environments and program scaling. Experience in defense or secure facility contracting is preferred.

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

Role Overview:We're looking for a Head of EHS to build and lead CHAOS's Environmental, Health & Safety function across a rapidly scaling, multi-site manufacturing, lab, and office portfolio in the U.S. and internationally. This is a hands-on leadership role: you'll set EHS strategy and standards company-wide, build out the program and management system from the ground up, and manage/mentor a growing team of site-level EHS Managers who execute day to day. You'll partner closely with Facilities and Workplace, Real Estate, Security/Export Control, and site and program leadership to make sure every facility — including manufacturing, lab, cleanroom, and defense-program-adjacent sites — operates safely and in compliance with applicable regulations.Responsibilities:

Own CHAOS' EHS strategy, standards, and management system company-wide, and build out the policies, programs, and tools needed as the company scales into new sites and jurisdictions.

Hire, manage, and develop a team of site-level EHS Managers; set priorities, review performance, and ensure consistent program execution across all sites.

Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and (where relevant) international EHS regulations, including OSHA, EPA, and equivalent authorities in international jurisdictions.

Set and oversee safety programs tailored to CHAOS's environments, including manufacturing, lab, cleanroom, and construction/tenant-improvement job sites, as well as standard office spaces.

Own incident reporting, investigation, and corrective-action processes; track leading and lagging indicators and report trends and risk areas to executive leadership.

Lead emergency preparedness and response planning across sites (fire/life safety, hazardous material incidents, natural disaster, and other site-specific risks).

Own hazardous materials management, industrial hygiene, and environmental compliance programs (permitting, waste handling, air/water considerations) where applicable to CHAOS's manufacturing and lab operations.

Partner with Facilities and Workplace and Real Estate during site selection, design, and buildout to build EHS requirements into new and renovated spaces from the start.

Coordinate with Security/Export Control on EHS considerations at sites with controlled equipment or secure/classified spaces, without independently managing classified scope.

Oversee contractor safety compliance across active capital projects, partnering with the construction/engineering team on contractor safety plans and job-site audits.

Build and deliver EHS training programs (new hire, role-specific, and refresher) and drive a strong safety culture across the organization.

Lead internal audits and manage external regulatory inspections/audits; maintain audit-ready documentation across all sites.

Own the EHS budget and headcount plan; make the case for program investments based on risk and company growth.

Report program status, risk areas, and key metrics to executive leadership and the board as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

10+ years of progressive EHS experience, including at least 3-5 years in a leadership role managing other EHS professionals across multiple sites.

Deep working knowledge of OSHA and other applicable federal/state EHS regulations; demonstrated experience building or scaling an EHS program.

Experience with manufacturing, lab, or industrial environments (not office-only EHS experience).

Experience managing incident investigation, regulatory inspections, and corrective action processes.

Proven ability to build programs and standards from limited existing infrastructure in a fast-scaling company.

Strong cross-functional communication skills; comfortable partnering with Facilities, Real Estate, Security, and executive leadership.

Willingness to travel domestically, and internationally as the portfolio requires, to support site teams and audits.

Preferred Requirements:

Experience in defense, aerospace, government, or other secure-facility contractor environments.

Familiarity with cleanroom or controlled-environment safety requirements.

Experience building or managing EHS programs across international sites, including familiarity with local regulatory regimes.

Familiarity with Technology Control Plans, ITAR/EAR basics, or working alongside cleared/vetted personnel.

Relevant certifications (e.g., CSP, CIH, CHMM, or equivalent).

Eligibility for a U.S. government security clearance.

Why CHAOS?

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company

Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more

Our Perks: Free daily lunch while you're working onsite, fully-stocked kitchen, unlimited PTO, casual dress code

Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses

Team Growth: 500+ employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $190,000 - $230,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

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