VP of Environmental Health and Safety

Job Overview

Saronic Technologies is seeking a highly experienced Vice President of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to lead, scale, and globalize our EHS organization as we expand from a domestic defense and maritime manufacturing base into an international leader in AI-driven autonomous maritime systems.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in defense, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing, with exposure to AI-enabled, robotics, or autonomous vehicle technologies. This individual will have a proven record of designing and implementing world-class EHS programs in high-risk, high-technology, safety-critical maritime environments.

This role will be responsible for scaling the EHS organization, establishing a unified EHS management system across global operations, and achieving key certifications including ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management), and compliance with ASTM 2920-24 (Environmental Sustainability for Defense Systems and Manufacturing).

• Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

  • Develop and execute a global EHS strategy that supports the rapid growth of defense, maritime, and AI/autonomous manufacturing programs.

  • Scale the EHS organization across multiple international sites, ensuring regional compliance, consistent standards, and operational excellence.

  • Coordinate with Security, Legal, and Compliance in all strategic planning, including facility expansion, technology integration, facility and operational controls, and entry into new international markets.

• Regulatory Compliance & Certification

  • Lead efforts to achieve and maintain ISO 14000 and ISO 45001 certifications and ensure compliance with ASTM E2920-24
    , DoD/NAVSEA standards, ISM, and other applicable defense and maritime environmental and health and safety regulations.

  • Oversee audit programs, risk assessments, and corrective action plans across all operations, including those integrating AI, robotics, and autonomous technologies.

• Operational Excellence & Risk Management

  • Develop and implement scalable, data-driven EHS management systems.

  • Drive advanced risk management initiatives.

  • Oversight of serious incident investigations, regulator engagement, and executive communications.

• Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Safety Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Professional certifications such as CSP, CIH, CHMM, ICSA, PE, or CPEA preferred.

• Preferred Experience

  • Minimum 15+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience in a global EHS program in defense, maritime, shipbuilding, or advanced manufacturing industries.

  • Experience in high hazard environments including shipbuilding or ship repair, aerospace or defense manufacturing, offshore oil & gas, heavy industrial manufacturing, large-scale energy.

  • Maritime experience in shipyard safety, pier-side and at-sea testing, vessel commissioning and sea trials.

  • Experience managing EHS for autonomous or remotely operated systems, robotics or unmanned platforms, complex software-hardware integration.

  • Proven track record in achieving ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications and ensuring ASTM E2920-24 compliance.

  • Proven expertise in offshore EHS and safety compliance, leveraging industry standards such as API recommended practices, ISO 14001/45001, ISM-based safety management systems, and class-verified marine safety and environmental requirements.

• Skills & Attributes

• Strategic, visionary leadership with deep operational and technical EHS expertise.
• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks for autonomous and AI-enabled systems.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills across engineering, software, and manufacturing disciplines.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and cross-cultural leadership abilities.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, sustainability, and ethical responsibility.

• Position occasionally requires the ability to work overtime and weekends when needed.
• Role requires up to 20% travel between CA, TX, LA, and VA with opportunities to travel to other US cities.
• Ability to lift 35 lbs unassisted.