What does a Safety Engineer do?

Safety engineers develop procedures and system designs that protect people from illness and injury and property from damage. They combine their engineering and health and safety knowledge to ensure that chemicals, machinery, software, furniture, and other products do not harm people or damage property. They maintain and apply their knowledge of current health and safety policies, regulations, and industrial processes and review plans and specifications of new machinery and equipment to ensure they meet safety standards.

Safety engineers identify and correct potential hazards by inspecting facilities, machinery, and safety equipment and evaluate various industrial control mechanisms’ effectiveness. They ensure buildings or products comply with health and safety regulations, paying careful attention after conducting an inspection that requires changes. They direct and oversee the installation of safety devices on machinery, and review employee safety programs, recommending necessary improvements as needed. Safety engineers need a bachelor's degree in environmental safety or engineering.

What responsibilities are common for Safety Engineer jobs?
  • Perform audits and report the effectiveness of the system safety program.
  • Support launch vehicle design and development to ensure that customer and internal goals for safety, mission success, and performance are met.
  • Ability to develop schedules, manage budget and complete work according to the developed schedule.
  • Briefing safety of the program at technical reviews and as part of the safety approval process.
  • This position may include launch campaign support at remote launch sites both domestic and international.
  • Exercises latitude in determine technical objectives of assignments, and make decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative.
  • Support incident investigations with business units, determine root causes and drive corrective actions.
  • Guide successful completion of major engineering programs, or conceives research in areas of considerable scope and complexity supporting the development and production of products and services.
  • Select appropriate methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to resolve complex engineering issues.
  • Work with test and tactical operating and maintenance procedures to assure the proper administrative controls are in place.
  • Work across all integrated product teams and lines to properly eliminate hazards or provide effective controls.
  • Implement occupational safety programs and serve as EHS interface with business units.
  • Interface with software developers and systems engineers in support of verification.
What are the typical qualifications for Safety Engineer jobs?
  • Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science or engineering.
  • Extensive experience with risk assessments.
  • Strong command of English language and good communication skills.
  • Strict attention to detail and an eye for continuous improvement
  • Familiar with OSHA regulations and protocols.
Education--
Work/Life Balance
3.7 ★
Total Pay--
Career Opportunity
3.8 ★
Avg. Experience8+ years

How much does a Safety Engineer make?

Confident
$95,583 /yr
Total Pay
$78,816
 /yr

Base Pay

+
$16,767
 /yr

Additional Pay

$95,583

 / yr
$60K$155K
Most Likely Range
Possible Range
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Safety Engineer Career Path

Learn how to become a Safety Engineer, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Safety Engineer

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
3%
2 - 4
16%
5 - 7
8%
8+
73%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Safety Engineer Insights

Read what Safety Engineer professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
OtherOther
Safety Engineer
May 24, 2021

“Great suparb awesome fantastic nice”

ALSTOMALSTOM
Safety Engineer
Dec 13, 2022

“Good team work and sinergy”

Process Automation SolutionsProcess Automation Solutions
Functional Safety Engineer
Jun 3, 2022

“Nice and eager to teach people to work with.”

CSA GroupCSA Group
Product Safety Engineer
Feb 20, 2022

“well detailed job description and career map to follow and grow with.”

ITD Cementation IndiaITD Cementation India
Safety Engineer/Safety Officer
Feb 21, 2022

“Comparatively low pay scale otherwise excellent.”

Netcon Technologies
Senior Safety Engineer
May 19, 2021

“Netcon is the best place for beginners for learning and developing career skills.”

ShellShell
Process Safety Engineer
May 23, 2022

“Great bonuses and stock option program.”

Reliance IndustriesReliance Industries
Safety Engineer
Nov 6, 2022

“Great place to work and ample of opportunities.”

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Safety Engineer Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Safety Engineer

The most similar professions to Safety Engineer are:
  • Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Process Engineer

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Safety Engineer Jobs