Site EHS Lead

About Castelion

Castelion is bringing a new approach to defense development and production: one that focuses on short, iterative design cycles, rapid testing in development, and modern commercial manufacturing strategies for production at scale. We’re designing, building, and testing next generation long range strike weapons systems to give America and its Allies a definitive edge and deter future conflicts.

Site EHS Lead - Rio Rancho (NM)

The Site EHS Lead will serve as the primary Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) expert for the Rio Rancho, New Mexico facility, which will support solid rocket motor manufacturing, integration, and test activities. This role will have full ownership of site-level EHS operations and will play a critical role in facility startup, commissioning, and ramp-up to steady-state operations in a fast-paced, high-hazard manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safety and environmental compliance of manufacturing and test processes while driving continuous improvement in EHS performance. This position requires a strong understanding of process safety management, hazard analysis, regulatory compliance, and industrial safety best practices applicable to energetics-related operations.

As an integral part of the team, the Site EHS Lead will work closely with operations, engineering, and regulatory stakeholders to implement and enforce EHS programs, conduct risk assessments, and support compliance initiatives that protect employees, the environment, and mission-critical operations. The role will also provide temporary EHS support to the Midland, Texas facility on an as-needed basis.

Responsibilities

Site EHS Leadership & Ownership

• Serve as the primary EHS authority and point of contact for the Rio Rancho facility, with full responsibility for site-level EHS compliance, programs, and performance.
• Lead EHS planning and execution for facility startup, commissioning, and ramp-up to production operations.
• Act as the site liaison with regulatory agencies, inspectors, and external stakeholders as required.

Process Safety & Risk Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain process safety and risk management activities for manufacturing operations, including hazard analyses (HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA), risk assessments, and identification of safety gaps.
• Integrate EHS requirements into process design, equipment selection, and operating procedures from development through production.

Regulatory & Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, EPA, ATF, NFPA, and other relevant safety and environmental standards.
• Oversee environmental compliance programs, including hazardous waste management, air emissions, and storm water management.
• Maintain required permits, records, reports, and regulatory submittals for the Rio Rancho facility.

Safety Program Development & Execution

• Design, implement, and maintain site-specific EHS programs, policies, and procedures that support safe operations and protect employees and the environment.
• Conduct routine safety audits, inspections, and assessments to verify compliance and program effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using risk-based approaches and industry best practices.

Incident Management & Emergency Preparedness

• Lead investigations of safety incidents, near misses, and environmental events; perform root cause analysis; and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans, including evacuation procedures, drills, and spill response preparedness.

Training & Workforce Engagement

• Develop and deliver EHS training for employees and contractors, including hazard recognition, safe work practices, emergency response, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams to reinforce safe behaviors and integrate EHS into daily operations.

Multi-Site Support

• Provide temporary EHS support to the Midland, Texas facility as needed, including audits, incident support, program development, or special projects.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Safety Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting EHS and process safety programs in manufacturing, test, or other high-hazard operational environments.
• Demonstrated experience with process safety management and hazard analysis techniques (HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA).
• Working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, ATF, NFPA, and applicable state and local EHS regulations.
• Experience leading incident investigations and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Hands-on experience developing and implementing EHS programs for manufacturing and test operations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and influence cross-functional teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel periodically to support Midland, Texas operations

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Professional certification such as CSP, CIH, or similar.
• Experience supporting solid rocket motor manufacturing, propulsion systems, energetics, or other explosive or high-energy material operations.
• Experience supporting facility startup, commissioning, or greenfield site development.
• Familiarity with EHS management systems (e.g., ISO 1400, ISO 45001) and continuous improvement methodologies

All employees are granted long-term stock incentives as part of their employment at Castelion. All employees receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance, and the company offers four weeks of paid time off per year.

Leadership Qualities

Bias to Action and Creative Problem Solving . Desire and experience questioning assumptions in ways that lead to break through ideas that are ultimately implemented. Successfully bring in applicable processes/concepts/materials from other industries to achieve efficiency gains. Ability to personally resolve minor issues in development without requiring significant support.

High Commitment, High Initiative . A successful candidate will have a genuine passion for Castelion’s mission and consistently look for ways to contribute to the company’s technical goals and prevent hardware blockers. Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere. Strong sense of accountability and integrity.

Clear Communicator . Proactively communicates blockers. Trusted in previous roles to be voice of company with regulators, suppliers, gate keepers and customers. Capable of tactfully managing relationships with stakeholders to achieve company-desired outcomes without compromising relationships. Emails, IMs and verbal interactions are logical, drive clarity, and detailed enough to eliminate ambiguity.

ITAR Requirements:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Employment with Castelion is governed on the basis of competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.