Compliance Specialist V; Onsite Sunnyvale

Laser Safety Specialist - Global EHS

We are seeking an experienced Laser Safety Specialist to join our Global Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team. This role is responsible for ensuring safe practices in laboratories and research environments that use lasers and radiation-emitting equipment. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in optical and radiation safety, hands‑on experience conducting inspections and measurements, and the ability to work cross‑functionally with engineering, research, and product teams.

• Conduct laboratory inspections to ensure compliance with laser and radiation safety standards.

• Evaluate equipment purchase requests, review R&D experiments, and assess potential safety hazards involving lasers, LEDs, and X‑ray systems.

• Perform laser exposure calculations and measurements (e.g., MPE, NOHD, NHZ).

• Establish and maintain appropriate area controls and safety procedures for laser and radiation work environments.

• Review and approve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for optical and radiation hazards.

• Oversee and approve work performed by external laser service technicians.

• Conduct X‑ray leakage surveys and support the implementation of the Radiation Safety Program, including compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Perform safety testing and fault simulations to validate optical safety designs.

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify corrective actions and ensure ongoing compliance.

• Support additional EHS programs such as lockout/tagout (LOTO), lab safety, chemical safety, electrical safety, and machine guarding.

• Provide safety coverage across lab sites in Sunnyvale, Burlingame, and Fremont, with occasional travel to other locations as needed.

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Optical Sciences, Engineering, Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or a related discipline
  Bachelor's degree in Physics, Optical Sciences, Engineering, Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or a related discipline (Direct experience as a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) or Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) may substitute for degree.)

• Experience conducting safety investigations, field testing, or failure analysis in research or engineering environments.

• Familiarity with multiple radiation sources, including lasers, LEDs, and X‑ray generating equipment.

• Working knowledge of ANSI Z136.1 (Safe Use of Lasers) and general optical safety principles.

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Highly organized, self‑motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

• Certification or direct experience as an LSO or RSO.

• Experience in hardware research or production environments.

• Expertise with IEC 60825, IEC 62471, and FDA/CDRH FLPPS standards.

• Knowledge of federal reporting requirements, including import/export documentation and annual compliance reporting.

• Proficiency in conducting laser safety calculations (MPE, NOHD, NHZ) and optical risk assessments.

• Experience with FMEA and Fault Tree Analysis.

• Familiarity with RF/EMF and ultrasound safety standards (e.g., FCC, IEEE C95.1).

• Excellent documentation, report writing, and presentation skills.

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign‑born residents, and veterans to apply.

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

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