Safety Engineer

Job Title: Safety Engineer

Job Description

The Safety Engineer supports and enforces safety programs on large-scale mission critical and data center construction projects to ensure full compliance with company, client, and regulatory requirements. This role conducts site inspections, audits, safety meetings, and training programs to identify hazards and promote a zero-incident culture. The Safety Engineer reviews Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), permits, and pre-task plans while partnering with project teams and subcontractors to proactively mitigate risk. In addition, this position assists with incident investigations, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and reporting of all safety-related events, and collaborates closely with project leadership to continuously improve safety performance and support successful project execution.

Responsibilities

• Support and enforce safety programs on large-scale mission critical and data center construction projects to ensure compliance with company, client, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular site inspections and audits to identify hazards, unsafe conditions, and at-risk behaviors, and drive corrective actions that support a zero-incident culture.
• Lead and participate in safety meetings, orientations, toolbox talks, and training programs to educate project teams and subcontractors on safety expectations and best practices.
• Review Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), permits, and pre-task plans to verify that work activities are properly planned and that risks are identified and mitigated in advance.
• Partner with project teams, superintendents, and subcontractors to proactively address safety concerns and integrate safety requirements into daily construction operations.
• Assist with incident investigations, including gathering facts, performing root cause analyses, and developing corrective and preventive action plans.
• Prepare and maintain documentation and reporting for all safety-related events, ensuring accurate records and timely communication to project leadership.
• Collaborate with project leadership to develop and implement strategies that continuously improve safety performance across mission critical and data center projects.
• Provide guidance on OSHA construction standards, NFPA 70E electrical safety requirements, and Lockout/Tagout procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support and participate in safety committee meetings, contributing insights and recommendations to strengthen site safety programs.
• Influence both field and management personnel through strong communication and interpersonal skills to reinforce a safety-first culture.
• Travel to and support various project sites as business needs require, maintaining consistent safety oversight across multiple locations.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 3+ years of construction safety experience, preferably on large commercial, industrial, mission critical, or data center projects.
• Strong understanding of OSHA construction standards and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical safety standards, including NFPA 70E and Lockout/Tagout procedures.
• Experience conducting safety training, orientations, toolbox talks, and safety committee meetings.
• Proven ability to investigate incidents, perform root cause analyses, and develop effective corrective action plans.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence both field personnel and management.
• OSHA 30 certification required.
• Ability to travel and support projects as business needs require.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate"s or Bachelor"s degree in Occupational Safety, Risk Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
• Professional safety certifications such as CHST, ASP, CSP, or CIH are highly desirable.
• Experience working on mission critical and data center construction projects with advanced electrical distribution and commissioning activities.
• Familiarity with safety management practices in large-scale construction environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with subcontractors, superintendents, project managers, and client representatives.
• Strong commitment to promoting a safety-first culture where safety professionals are viewed as strategic partners.
• Interest in long-term career growth within an innovative design-build environment focused on employee development.

Work Environment

This role is primarily field-based on active data center construction sites, providing daily exposure to mission critical environments that involve advanced electrical distribution, commissioning activities, and hyperscale infrastructure technologies. The Safety Engineer works in a fast-paced setting with a strong emphasis on safety leadership, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement, engaging frequently with subcontractors, superintendents, project managers, and client representatives. The position involves regular site walks, inspections, audits, and participation in daily construction operations, with significant focus on electrical safety, high-risk activities, and mission critical construction processes. Travel may be required depending on project assignment, and the work environment centers on a safety-first culture within an established design-build contractor that offers project stability, innovation, and opportunities for long-term career advancement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.