Job Title: Senior Director, Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE)
Location: On-Site – Monroe Township, NJ
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
About Us:
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT) provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows™, which provides AI-capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® unmanned surface vehicles (USV’s) and marine robotics services. The Company’s headquarters is located in Monroe Township, New Jersey with an additional office in Richmond, California.
The Role:
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Director of QHSE to provide strategic leadership and oversight for our global Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental programs. This executive role will be responsible for setting the QHSE strategy, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, driving operational excellence, and cultivating a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and lead the company’s global QHSE strategy, policies, and programs in alignment with business objectives.
- Oversee quality management systems (ISO 9001) to ensure consistent delivery of products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
- Lead health & safety programs to maintain a safe workplace (ISO 45001), achieve zero-incident goals, and comply with OSHA and other relevant standards.
- Provide executive reporting on QHSE performance, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership and the board.
- Partner with business leaders to integrate QHSE principles into daily operations and long-term strategic planning.
- Prepare OPT for attainment of the ISO 14001 standard by the third quarter CY-2027.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing QHSE team across multiple regions and facilities.
- Ensure readiness for external audits, inspections, certifications, and regulatory reviews.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Quality Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- 15+ years of progressive QHSE experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Expertise in ISO standards (9001, 14001, and 45001) and global regulatory frameworks (CE, COLREGS, IMO). Expertise in similar aviation standards are acceptable.
- Maritime experience required.
- Demonstrated success in driving QHSE culture transformation and organizational change.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to influence at the executive level.
- Small company and some C-Suite experience
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- CSP or CMIOSH Certification
Ocean Power Technologies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
Salary range is $160,000 - $180,000 per year and includes the following:
- Bonus potential
- Restricted Stock Awards
Benefits include:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- 401(k)
