Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Specialist at Sonatech

About Sonatech

Sonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company. With a focus on supplying advanced SONAR solutions for the US Navy, our technical expertise, customized design capabilities and diverse manufacturing abilities have led to Sonatech products being deployed on virtually every class of underwater Navy system currently in operation.

Located in Santa Barbara, CA we pride ourselves as having a culture of innovation as well as first-class customer service. Sonatech has a challenging and rewarding work environment where employees have the opportunity to develop their careers by taking on new responsibilities and providing innovative solutions.

Job Summary

Sonatech is looking for an experienced Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) professional to join our team. The Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Specialist role is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the company's safety, health, and environmental compliance programs. This position ensures a safe and healthy work environment by proactively identifying risks, maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (including Cal/OSHA, EPA, DTSC, and others), and promoting a strong safety culture across the organization.

This is a hands-on role requiring close collaboration with Facilities, Manufacturing, HR, and company leadership to implement and maintain effective EH&S programs and training.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations (e.g., air emissions, hazardous waste, stormwater, Tier II, TRI)
• Manage permitting and reporting obligations to local, state (e.g., California EPA, CARB), and federal agencies
• Maintain and update environmental plans such as SWPPP, HMBP, and contingency plans

Health & Safety Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain company safety policies, procedures, and training programs in compliance with Cal/OSHA regulations
• Lead incident investigations and root cause analyses; implement corrective actions and track closure
• Conduct safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments; follow up on deficiencies.
• Lead Safety Committee meetings and ensure effective employee engagement

Training & Communication

• Oversee required safety training (e.g., forklift, PPE, LOTO, hazard communication) and work with HR to maintain training records
• Communicate EH&S policies and expectations to all levels of staff and management
• Promote continuous improvement in EH&S through employee education and involvement

Manufacturing & Machine Shop Safety

• Oversee EH&S compliance within the machine shop, including proper use and disposal of metalworking fluids, oils, and solvents
• Ensure implementation of machine guarding, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and hearing conservation programs
• Conduct regular inspections of machine shop areas to ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA safety standards
• Support exposure assessments for airborne particulates, vapors, or noise, and coordinate any required industrial hygiene monitoring
• Collaborate with Production and Maintenance teams to support equipment safety reviews and hazard analysis during installations or modifications

Program Oversight & Recordkeeping

• Maintain OSHA 300 logs and submit reports as required
• Manage the injury/illness reporting process and coordinate with HR on workers' compensation
• Track and report key EH&S performance metrics and KPIs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Facilities to ensure physical plant operations support safety and environmental goals
• Support HR with onboarding safety orientation and compliance documentation
• Act as point of contact for regulatory inspections, audits, and inquiries

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or related field-or equivalent relevant experience
• 5+ years of EH&S experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Strong knowledge of Cal/OSHA, EPA, and local environmental regulations
• Demonstrated experience conducting training, audits, and incident investigations
• Knowledge of safety standards related to machining operations, metalworking fluids, and LOTO procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred

• Professional certifications such as CSP, CHMM, or CES
• Experience with ISO 14001, ISO 45001, or similar systems
• Familiarity with California-specific regulations (e.g., HMBP, DTSC, CARB)
• Experience supporting EH&S programs in a machine shop or metal fabrication environment
• Previous team leadership or functional management experience

Physical Demands

• Must be able to occasionally move, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds with proper technique or mechanical assistance, in accordance with company safety policies
• Move up and down stairs, service ramps, and/or ladders
• Reach overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping
• May involve occasional exposure to noise, fumes, chemicals, or other manufacturing-related conditions with appropriate PPE
• Standing and/or walking for up to 8 hours

Benefits

Benefits include medical, dental and vision, life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, 3% 401K contribution (no matching required), company events

Salary Range

Salary Range: $90,000- $140,000

Job Type: Full-time, onsite at our Santa Barbara office from Monday to Friday

Sonatech is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled