Health Safety Environment Engineer

Before applying - This role is site‑based full time at the KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative at NEOM with occasional travel to KAUST as required.

KAUST, in partnership with NEOM, operates the world’s largest coral reef conservation, enhancement, and restoration initiative at Shushah Island in the Red Sea. The operation includes industrial‑scale coral nurseries, long‑term reefscape field activities, marine and diving operations, research facilities, workshops, offices, and permanent operational infrastructure within a remote and environmentally sensitive setting.

The HSE Specialist supports the safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible operation of KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative. The role is responsible for implementing and maintaining operational Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) controls, ensuring continuous compliance with KAUST, NEOM, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) requirements.

The position focuses on routine operational assurance, including inspections, monitoring, audits, incident management, environmental compliance, and workforce engagement across marine, facility, laboratory, field, and support operations. The HSE Specialist acts as a visible field presence, supporting safe work practices, environmental protection, and ongoing improvement of the HSE management system.

Implement and maintain the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Management System in alignment with KAUST, NEOM, and applicable Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regulatory requirements.

Perform risk assessments and environmental aspects and impacts reviews for routine and non-routine activities across marine operations, facilities, laboratories, workshops, offices, and field activities.

• Conduct routine HSE inspections, field verifications, and compliance monitoring across:
• Marine and vessel operations
• Coral nursery operations
• Laboratories and workshops
• Offices, welfare facilities, and operational facilities
• Identify, report, and follow up on unsafe conditions, non-compliance, and improvement opportunities.

Support environmental compliance and monitoring activities, including meeting permit and consent requirements, implementing environmental mitigation measures, managing waste, ensuring spill prevention controls, conducting environmental inspections, maintaining monitoring records, and fulfilling environmental reporting obligations.

Conduct planned and ad hoc HSE and environmental audits, support corrective action tracking, and verify effective close-out of findings.

Monitor and verify facility safety systems and controls, including lifting operations, confined spaces, electrical safety, Permit to Work, and general workplace safety.

Support marine safety by verifying compliance with approved operational procedures, vessel safety standards, and applicable marine regulations.

Support the delivery of HSE inductions, toolbox talks, safety briefings, and environmental awareness programs to promote a strong safety and environmental protection culture.

Support HSE compliance of contractors and service providers during operational activities, including onboarding, inspections, performance monitoring, and reporting.

Participate in the reporting, investigation, and analysis of HSE and environmental incidents and near misses, including root cause analysis, and support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

Assist with operational emergency preparedness, drills, and readiness for marine, environmental, medical, and facility-related emergency scenarios.

Liaise with KAUST and NEOM HSE teams, environmental representatives, emergency services, and other relevant stakeholders as directed by the HSE Manager.

Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date HSE records, inspection logs, monitoring data, reports, and compliance documentation in accordance with internal and external requirements.

Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and…