Senior Director of Environment, Health, and Safety

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems:

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

Join the power movement as Senior Director of Environment, Health, and Safety

The Senior Director of Environment, Health, and Safety will be responsible for developing, leading, and continuously improving the EHS programs for CFS, with a focus on the safe design, build, commissioning, and operation of the SPARC tokamak and facility. They will champion a strong safety culture throughout the organization, and work with leaders across EHSS and all departments to develop and implement a holistic and proactive approach to safety. At CFS, we believe that all injuries are preventable, and we look out for ourselves and each other. We’re looking for a strong leader who excels in managing safety throughout the full project lifecycle, from early-stage design and construction through commissioning, handover, and operations.

What you'll do:

Develop and Lead EHS Strategy:

- Build a comprehensive EHS roadmap, scaling from an early-stage operation to a global enterprise

- Champion a safety-first culture and drive continuous improvement in all EHS aspects

EHS Transformation & Industry Leadership:

- Lead the transformation to redefine EHS standards for the company and set a precedent for safe and secure operations for the fusion industry as a whole

Promote Safe Design and Construction:

- Integrate EHS considerations at every stage of design, construction, and commissioning to minimize hazards and risks

- Work closely with engineering, R&D, and operations teams to embed safety by design principles into new projects and facilities

Oversee Complex Systems and High-Risk Hazards:

- Provide EHS oversight on SPARC construction, commissioning, and operations; particularly for systems involving high voltage, high current, high pressure, heavy lifts, cryogenics, and other high-risk hazards

Collaborate Across Departments:

- Partner with leaders across the organization (including Security, Radiation Protection, Environmental Engineering, Business Continuity) to align EHS objectives with overall business goals

- Influence facility layouts, equipment selection, and operational processes with a safety lens

Lead Investigations and Continuous Improvement:

- Conduct root-cause analyses for safety incidents and near misses. Identify corrective actions and drive organization-wide learning to prevent recurrence

Ensure Regulatory Compliance:

- Manage compliance with relevant federal, state, and local EHS regulations

- Ensure all operational standards are met or exceeded

Manage and Develop the EHS Team:

- Lead a team of EHS managers and engineers, providing mentorship, professional development, and performance feedback

- Foster an environment of collaboration, accountability, and innovation

Project Lifecycle Management:

- Contribute EHS expertise throughout full project lifecycles, including construction, commissioning, startup, and handover/transition to operational teams

Budget and Resource Planning:

- Develop and manage EHS budgets, staffing plans, and project scopes

- Communicate effectively with leadership on EHS status, risks, and resource requirements

What we're looking for:

- Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in EHS-related discipline, engineering, or equivalent experience

- 15+ years’ progressive experience in health and safety engineering and management, preferably in complex technical environments such as heavy industry, power, or advanced R&D

- Experience leading EHS functions for a company with national or global operations

- Safety certification in at least one of the following: Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Safety Manager (CSM), Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

- Proven track record of creating and implementing EHS programs

- Familiarity with chemical safety, hazard communication, and waste management

- Experience with high-voltage, high-current, pressurized systems, heavy lifts/rigging, cryogenics, and related hazards

- Strong project management skills

- Ability to collaborate across multiple levels of the organization and with external agencies

- Demonstrated success in leading, mentoring, and developing EHS teams

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills

- Strong time management and organizational capabilities

- Adept at risk assessment, problem-solving, and critical thinking

- Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences

- Capable of inspiring change, mentoring colleagues, and driving continuous improvement in a lean, fast-paced environment

Bonus points for:

- 10+ years’ experience in EHSS leadership roles for new products/industries

- Experience with the application of Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies

- Successful completion of safety management through a full project lifecycle, from early-stage design and construction through commissioning, handover, and operations

Must-have requirements:

- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs

- Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time

- Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics

- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call

$200,000 - $300,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits .

The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Benefits include:

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Competitive compensation with equity

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12.5 Company-wide Holidays

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Flexible vacation days

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10 sick days

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Generous parental leave policy

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Health, dental, and vision insurance

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401(k) with employer matching

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Professional growth opportunities

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Team-building activities

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law.

This role requires compliance with U.S. laws concerning the export of controlled or protected technologies or information (collectively, “Export Control Laws"). Any offer of employment will be contingent on the need for compliance with such Export Control Laws.