Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Manager

Fusion innovation demands world-class safety-come build it with us. The EHS Manager will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Realta Fusion's Environment, Health, and Safety programs during a critical phase of company growth. This role will be highly hands-on, responsible for building EHS systems, processes, and culture from the ground up while supporting facility expansion, laboratory operations, and fusion device development.

Realta Fusion is a rapidly growing start-up developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to address the biggest challenge of our time - tackling global climate change while ensuring a sufficient energy supply for at least ten billion people on (and off) earth. We are building a team with diverse talents dedicated to making fusion energy a real solution to humanity's most pressing problem.

Key Responsibilities

EHS Program Development & Compliance

• Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive EHS programs aligned with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, state agencies).
• Establish policies, procedures, and documentation for laboratory safety, facility safety, hazardous materials, waste management, and emergency preparedness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for EHS regulatory agencies, inspections, audits, and reporting.

• Support the design, build-out, and operation of facilities housing fusion devices, laboratories, and support infrastructure.
• Conduct risk assessments, job hazard analyses, and safety reviews for equipment, experiments, and facility modifications.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to integrate safety into design, installation, and commissioning activities.

• Oversee environmental compliance related to air, water, waste, and hazardous materials.
• Manage chemical inventory systems, waste disposal programs, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure appropriate permits, plans, and reporting are in place and maintained.

• Develop and deliver EHS training programs for employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Promote a proactive safety culture where employees are engaged, informed, and empowered to raise concerns.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action plans.
• Track EHS metrics, trends, and performance indicators to identify improvement opportunities.
• Stay current on evolving regulations, industry best practices, and emerging risks relevant to fusion energy and advanced R&D environments.
• Help define the long-term vision for the EHS function, including future staffing and leadership needs.

• Track EHS metrics, trends, and performance indicators to identify improvement opportunities.
• Stay current on evolving regulations, industry best practices, and emerging risks relevant to fusion energy and advanced R&D environments.
• Help define the long-term vision for the EHS function, including future staffing and leadership needs.

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Engineering, Physics, Health Physics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of EHS experience in a regulated environment (e.g., advanced manufacturing, energy, R&D labs, industrial facilities).
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and applicable state regulations.
• Experience building or significantly improving EHS programs.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and operate in a fast-moving startup environment.

• Experience supporting facility construction, expansion, or commissioning.
• Background in high-hazard, complex technical, or highly specialized laboratory environments (high voltage, energy generation, fusion and plasma physics, advanced manufacturing, or similar).
• Professional certifications (e.g., CSP, CIH, CHMM).
• Experience with radiation safety in commercial, healthcare, R&D, or military settings (nuclear power, medical, laboratory, US Navy, or similar).

• Competitive compensation package, including equity stock options
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)
• Flexible paid time off (PTO) to support work-life balance
• Work and live in Madison, Wisconsin - one of America's most livable and vibrant cities