Principal Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

The Principal EHS Specialist will serve as the company’s sole Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) expert and will be responsible for creating, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive EHS management system across multiple sites and operating environments.

This role is responsible for:
•    1x US office-only site (Eagan)
•    1x US Manufacturing / R&D site (Maple Grove)
•    Supporting readiness, planning, and execution for an additional Minnesota site in Brooklyn Park
•    Providing EHS governance oversight for two Australian sites (one office-only and one manufacturing)

Our ideal candidate is an experienced, hands-on EHS leader who can operate independently as an individual contributor while leading others in creating scalable systems and programs that support business growth, compliance obligations, and a strong safety culture. While independent, the role may leverage external consultants and specialty resources as needed (e.g., industrial hygiene, environmental monitoring, Australian regulatory support, etc.).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Training & Compliance Readiness
•    Lead the safety culture, build engagement with leadership and employees, creating a safety-first mindset for the organization. 
•    Build, deliver, and manage an annual EHS training program, including onboarding and annual refreshers
•    Maintain training records, compliance documentation, and audit readiness
•    Coordinate contractor/vendor safety training and communication where applicable

EHS Program Development & Ownership
Develop, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive Environmental, Health & Safety management system, including:

• Workplace Safety & Risk Management
  o    Hazard Communication / Employee Right-to-Know 
  o    Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), equipment risk assessments, and machine safety 
  o    Lockout / Tagout (LOTO), confined space, ladder safety, fall protection, ergonomics, slips/trips/falls prevention, and PPE programs 
• Operational & Facility Safety
  o    Warehouse and forklift safety 
  o    Laser safety 
  o    Compressed gas safety 
  o    Eye wash and emergency shower programs 
• Emergency Preparedness & Incident Response
  o    Emergency Response Team (ERT), First Aid, and AED oversight 
  o    Fire prevention and extinguisher inspection readiness 
  o    Chemical spill response and spill team readiness 
  o    Mock drills and emergency preparedness exercises 
• Environmental & Regulated Materials
  o    Biohazard, bloodborne pathogen, and sharps waste management 
  o    Electronic waste (e-waste) management 
  o    Air and wastewater monitoring in accordance with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requirements, as applicable 
• Compliance, Governance & Continuous Improvement
  o    Safety Committee and AWAIR program leadership 
  o    Regulatory compliance, audits, and inspections 
  o    Incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) 
  o    EHS training, annual compliance reviews, and documentation 
  o    Continuous improvement initiatives and safety culture development

Site EHS Support (Office + Manufacturing / R&D)
•    Provide direct EHS support and risk management for office and technical operations
•    Engage with the safety committee to conduct routine site inspections, walkthroughs, and risk reviews
•    Manage the company’s hazardous waste program, including collection, storage, transportation and disposal 
•    Partner with and provide day-to-day EHS guidance to Engineering, Operations, R&D, and Facilities
•    Support safe installation, operation, and modification of equipment, tools, and facility systems
•    Respond to EHS incidents and urgent operational safety needs as required

Audits, Inspections, and Continuous Improvement
•    Perform scheduled audits and inspections to verify program effectiveness and compliance
•    Maintain inspection logs, program documentation, and corrective action tracking
•    Own annual compliance reviews and program refresh cadence
•    Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization, with measurable goals and results

Incident Investigation & Corrective Actions
•    Own the incident management process including reporting, investigation, root cause analysis, and CAPA
•    Ensure timely closure of corrective actions and communication of lessons learned

Expansion Support (Minnesota Growth)
•    Serve as EHS lead for Minnesota site expansion efforts including due diligence and readiness planning
•    Support new site EHS readiness checklists and commissioning activities
•    Deploy standardized scalable programs for new sites

Australia Collaboration, Safety Program Oversight & Governance
•    Provide EHS program oversight for Australia office and manufacturing sites
•    Partner with local site leadership and external consultants to meet local compliance requirements
•    Establish consistent reporting, audit cadence, and corrective action closure across global sites

Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Qualifications

Required:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
•    8+ years of progressive EHS experience, preferably including manufacturing and/or R&D environments
•    Proven experience building and deploying EHS programs and systems from the ground up
•    Strong working knowledge of MN OSHA & Federal OSHA requirements and EHS best practices
•    Experience leading audits, inspections, incident investigations, and corrective action programs
•    Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and leaders without direct authority
•    Strong written and verbal communication skills; capable trainer and program developer
•    Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of managing competing priorities with minimal supervision
•    Experience working with external consultants and managing deliverables

Preferred:
•    CSP, CHMM, or similar professional certification
•    Experience supporting multi-site operations and/or global locations
•    Experience in regulated industries (medical devices, life sciences, pharmaceuticals)

Physical Requirements
•    Ability to move throughout office, warehouse, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
•    Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
•    Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach throughout the workday.
•    May occasionally enter cleanroom or controlled manufacturing areas while following applicable gowning and safety procedures.

What We Offer:

•    The opportunity to make a significant impact on the healthcare industry by advancing groundbreaking therapies.
•    Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a culture of innovation and excellence.
•    Competitive compensation package, including salary, performance-based bonuses, and stock options.
•    Career development opportunities and a chance to be part of a growing company that values its employees.

Health and Wellness Offerings:

•    Medical, Dental, and Vision Offerings
•    Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
•    401k + Company Match
•    Life, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
•    Bonus Plan Eligibility
•    Employee Equity Program
•    Paid Holidays & Vacation
•    Employee Assistance Program
•    Inclusive Team Environment