Position summary

SpaceX is hiring an Environmental Specialist in Hawthorne, CA to maintain environmental compliance across all applicable regulations, including AQMD, LACSD, CARB, RWQCB, DTSC, CERCLA, CUPA, DOT and EPA. The role focuses on regulatory hazardous waste handling, storage and disposal, waste determinations, and environmental program compliance (SPCC, SWPPP, EPCRA/CalARP) in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Why this role matters

As SpaceX manufactures the technologies to enable human life on Mars, strict environmental compliance keeps its operations lawful and safe. The role manages hazardous waste from accumulation through disposal, maintains air and water permits, and leads spill response and prevention, protecting the site and the surrounding environment.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain environmental compliance with all applicable California and federal regulations and agencies.
• Manage hazardous waste by monitoring satellite accumulation areas, performing waste determinations of new streams, ensuring correct labelling and storage, and maintaining 90-day hazardous waste inventory logs.
• Conduct inspections of hazardous and universal waste storage, emergency eye wash/shower, SPCC and SWPPP, and perform CalEPA and SWRCB compliance tasks (SPCC, SWPPP, EPCRA/CalARP).
• Execute waste shipments by scheduling, preparing and assisting shipments with the waste disposal contractor, and consolidating/lab-packing waste where appropriate.
• Lead spill response and prevention including clean-up or coordination with third parties, and ordering and maintaining spill supplies and containment.
• Partner with EHS colleagues (EHS Technicians and Engineers) to ensure regulatory compliance across environmental programs.

Team and stakeholders

The role works closely with EHS Technicians and EHS Engineers, department teams at satellite accumulation areas, waste disposal contractors, and federal, state and county regulatory agencies.

Key details

• Onsite only (not remote or hybrid); relocation required if not local to Hawthorne, CA.
• Occasional overtime and weekend work; ITAR requirements apply (US person or eligible for authorisation).
• Three levels (I–III) with corresponding hourly bands; eligible for stock, benefits and paid time off.

Requirements

Essential

• A high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 4+ years of experience implementing and overseeing environmental, health and safety programs.

Preferred

• A Bachelor’s degree in engineering with an emphasis in environmental engineering.
• 1+ years of environmental and regulatory compliance in a dynamic manufacturing environment, with California regulatory experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining South Coast AQMD air emissions permits, LACSD industrial discharge permits, and RWQCB SWPPPs and site BMPs.
• Experience with AQMD, LACSD, RWQCB, EPA, CERCLA, RCRA and DOT.
• Strong written and verbal communication, technical data interpretation, and a track record of applying rules and regulations to practical solutions.