EHS Lead

ABOUT SUBCRITICAL SYSTEMS

Subcritical Systems, Inc. is a venture-backed startup in Austin, Texas building the accelerator driven systems and the only US commercial manufacturer of accelerator cavities. What Space X did for rockets, we plan to do for accelerator cavities and commercialize across applications of power production, medical isotopes, semiconductors and waste transmutation.

We are in the process of building the Energy Amplifier — a novel nuclear fission system in which a particle accelerator drives a subcritical core, making meltdown physically impossible for clean power production. Due to its inherent safety, our system has a more streamlined licensing process. Our founding team includes successful entrepreneurs with a track record of building several multibillion dollar companies in deep-tech, and scientists who were leading U.S. national labs with deep experience in accelerator & nuclear technologies.

We are actively hiring to expand our team as we work toward licensing, regulatory submissions, and construction of our first energy amplifier. More information is available at subcritical.com.

ROLE SUMMARY

We are looking for an EHS Lead to own environmental, health, and safety at our Austin manufacturing facility as we scale accelerator cavity production and move toward construction of our first Energy Amplifier. You will be the company’s day-to-day EHS owner: turning written safety programs into daily practice on the shop floor, keeping us compliant with OSHA, EPA, and TCEQ requirements, and building a safety culture that grows with the team. In your first 6 to 12 months, success looks like core safety programs fully implemented and followed, a trained workforce, clean inspection and audit results, and an EHS function ready to support future site construction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own day-to-day EHS operations at our Austin facility, including routine inspections, job hazard analyses, corrective action tracking, and incident and near-miss investigations.
• Implement and maintain written EHS programs (Hazard Communication, Lockout/Tagout, PPE, Respiratory Protection, Confined Space, Hot Work, Emergency Action Plan, and others) in partnership with our outside EHS consultant, and make sure they are understood and followed on the floor.
• Manage hazardous materials and waste, including chemical inventory and SDS management, safe storage and handling, waste characterization and disposal, spill prevention, and related environmental permits and reporting.
• Partner with Engineering to set safe controls and procedures for specialized processes and equipment, including chemical processing, cryogenics, high-voltage and RF systems, vacuum systems, cranes and rigging, and radiation-generating equipment.
• Develop and deliver EHS training, including new hire safety orientation, toolbox talks, and role-specific training, and maintain training records.
• Maintain OSHA recordkeeping (300, 300A, 301), track leading and lagging EHS metrics, and report trends and recommendations to leadership.
• Serve as the point of contact for regulators, insurers, and EHS vendors during inspections, audits, and site visits.
• Lead the Safety Committee and work with Operations, Engineering, Facilities, and HR to build safety into new processes, equipment installs, and facility expansion, including early planning for future construction and site work.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of hands-on EHS experience in manufacturing, industrial, laboratory, or energy environments
• Working knowledge of OSHA General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910) and federal and Texas environmental regulations (EPA, TCEQ)
• Experience maintaining EHS programs, conducting hazard assessments, and leading incident investigations
• Strong communication skills and comfortable coaching people at every level, from technicians to leadership
• Self-directed and comfortable building structure in a fast-moving startup environment

Preferred

• Professional certification such as ASP, CSP, CHST, CHMM, or CIH
• OSHA 30 (General Industry) or OSHA 501 trainer authorization
• EHS experience with chemical processing, cryogenics, high-voltage, cleanroom, or radiation safety, accelerator, national lab, semiconductor, or aerospace settings
• Experience building EHS programs from the ground up at an early-stage or high-growth company
• Familiarity with construction safety 29 CFR 1926 or ISO 45001

BENEFITS

We offer health, dental, and vision insurance.

LOCATION & WORK POLICY

This role is fully in person in Austin, Texas. Our facility is located next to Austin Airport.