EHS Specialist, R&D

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking an ambitious EHS Specialist to support the R&D Lab Operations EHS functions in Palo Alto, CA. This role offers the opportunity for growth in technical and professional skillsets. They will use human and organizational principles to drive ownership of safety, health and environmental impacts, with a focus on engagement, learning from events, and a systems-level problem solving.

The candidate will develop, implement, and continuously improve programs within the EHS Management System framework in partnership with the broader EHS and R&D Infrastructure teams. They will ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations.

• Actively work as a key Management of Change stakeholder on behalf of the Tesla EHS team to ensure that R&D Lab Operation changes result in improved controls of risks to health, safety and the environment
• Engage closely with specialized EHS functional teams (Industrial Hygiene, Construction Safety, Environmental, Ergonomics, Equipment Safety, Air Permitting, Process Safety, etc.) to address needs unique to R&D operations and to evaluate and mitigate potential hazards
• Partner with R&D Design, Construction, Facilities, Workplace and end users to incorporate EHS requirements into R&D lab buildouts during lab design and commissioning phases
• Analyze incident trends and use risk-assessment methods to identify continuous improvement projects that reduce injury, illness and environmental impact events
• Facilitate incident investigations from a Learning Teams approach, ensuring that preventative actions address system causes and not just individual behaviors
• Assist with field work EHS-impacts oversight, participating in pre-job planning and verification of controls/safeguards before starting work
• Serve as a point of contact and support for regulatory agency inspections (e.g., OSHA, local fire authorities, etc.)

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Minimum 3 years of work experience as an environmental, health or safety professional, preferably in laboratory, R&D, industrial environment, or similar workplace
• Experience leading EHS program development, training all levels of personnel, and influencing/managing change
• Strong, hands‑on experience with lockout/tagout procedures, chemical management safety, construction safety, electrical safety, confined space, NFPA and OSHA requirements, incident investigation, root cause analysis and corrective action management
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure while managing competing demands and tight deadlines
• Excellent customer service skills
• Expert proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Work, Power Point, Project, etc.)

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program

$76,000 - $144,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.