Company Overview
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.
With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced safety professional to lead and scale our manufacturing safety program. This role will own the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safety policies, training, compliance systems, and hazard controls across our facility. Our work involves industrial manufacturing processes, hazardous materials, high-energy systems, and emerging weapons-related technologies—so this role requires strong judgment, technical credibility, and the confidence to stop unsafe work when necessary.
This is a hands-on leadership position. You will spend time on the production floor, working directly with manufacturing, engineering, and leadership to proactively identify risks, strengthen safeguards, and build a culture where safety is a shared responsibility.
What You’ll Do:
Safety Strategy & Organizational Leadership
Develop and execute the company's long-term Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) strategy in support of business growth, manufacturing scale-up, and operational excellence
Establish, govern, and continuously evolve company-wide safety management systems, policies, standards, and procedures
Partner with executive leadership to integrate safety considerations into strategic planning, facility expansion, product development, and operational decision-making
Act as the primary company representative for regulatory agencies, audits, inspections, and external safety stakeholders
Lead enterprise-wide risk identification, assessment, and mitigation efforts across manufacturing, testing, engineering, and future operational environments
Oversee safety requirements related to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, lifting operations, keep-out zones, and industrial automation systems
Develop safety strategies for emerging operational risks, including high-power laser systems, autonomous systems, weapons integration, and explosive ordnance programs
Specialized Safety Programs
Establish and govern safety programs for firearms handling, weapons integration, explosives, energetics, and other regulated activities as company capabilities evolve
Provide executive oversight for field testing operations, ensuring safe planning, execution, and continuous risk reduction
Direct chemical hygiene, hazardous materials management, storage, transportation, disposal, and digital SDS systems
Emergency Preparedness & Business Resilience
Oversee emergency action plans, evacuation procedures, incident command structures, and response capabilities
Provide leadership for fire protection systems, emergency response equipment, drills, and emergency preparedness exercises
Establish scalable incident reporting, investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes
Training, Compliance & Governance
Ensure compliance with OSHA and all applicable federal, state, local, and industry-specific regulations
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
What You'll Need
Bachelor's degree in Safety Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or a related technical field
10+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience within manufacturing, aerospace, defense, industrial technology, or other highly regulated environments
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in defense, aerospace, autonomous systems, robotics, or other mission-critical industries
What We Offer
Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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