Head of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)

Menlo Park · USD 250,000-325,000 · 10+ years experience · Full-time · Onsite · Posted Oct 8, 2026

At a glance

We’re an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what’s scientifically possible.

Periodic Labs is seeking a Head of Environmental Health & Safety to build a safety architecture that enables autonomous scientific research. This role involves designing life safety systems, managing complex permitting, and collaborating with AI engineers to integrate safety constraints into autonomous experimental planning.

Lead the site EH&S team through a hands-on approach to problem solving and operational support.
Own the digital EHS infrastructure, integrating inspections, training, incident reporting, and compliance tracking.
Manage all permitting processes with local, state, and federal agencies including Fire Department/CUPA, CERS, and BAAQMD.
Maintain chemical inventory systems, SDS libraries, and hazard labeling in compliance with OSHA and CalEPA.
Lead Hazard Communication and SDS training programs for lab staff, including night shift and autonomous operations.
Design and review life safety systems, including fire suppression, gas detection, interlocks, and emissions abatement.
Conduct and document HAZOPs, PHA/FMEA, and risk assessments for high-pressure and thin-film processes.
Establish operational readiness systems for autonomous operations, including PSSR and commissioning validation.
Partner with automation teams to implement machine safeguarding, robotics safety controls, and functional safety validation.
Collaborate with ML/AI engineers to train an LLM to reason through process hazards and safety constraints.

10+ years of experience in EHS, process safety, or chemical operations in labs, pilot plants, or manufacturing environments.
Strong knowledge of EH&S regulations, standards, and best practices.
Hands-on experience conducting HAZOPs or FMEAs.
Experience designing or reviewing functional safety systems.
Bachelor’s degree or similar experience.
Comfort working on-site in a fast-paced, high-complexity lab environment with 24/7 operations.

Certification in EH&S (e.g., Certified Safety Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist).
Experience designing EHS systems for autonomous or semi-autonomous lab environments.
Background supporting the build-out of a new laboratory facility.
Familiarity with AI or ML tools applied to risk assessment or experimental planning.
Active participation in technical committees contributing to OSHA, NFPA, or IEC standard development.
Demonstrated accomplishments recognized in your field.