OPT Safety Engineer Jobs
Safety Engineer jobs on OPT are available across construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and tech sectors. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers typically require a degree in occupational health, civil, or industrial engineering.
Find OPT Safety Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 636+ Safety Engineer jobs
See all 636+ Safety Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Safety Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsAgency
Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Department
Division of Research & Innovation
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
San Antonio, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Under supervision of the Vice President for Research, the Biosafety Officer/ Chemical Safety Officer (BSO/CSO) assists in organizing, managing, implementing, and maintaining programs in compliance for laboratory and research safety in the specific areas of biosafety and chem-safety. Assists in the administration, promotion, development, presentation, training, and coordination of various Safety programs at the university to ensure research and laboratory compliance with University regulations, System regulations, regulatory agencies, and national guidelines.
Responsibilities:
- Assists in the development and implementation of chemical and environmental health and safety programs to meet university and Texas A&M System regulatory requirements. Establishes documents and communicates standards, guidelines and procedures. Develops and delivers training for assigned environmental health and safety programs.
- Develops, implements, and coordinates a comprehensive biological safety program for the university to enhance institutional biosafety-related objectives and to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, guidelines, policies, and directives. Assesses existing programs for regulatory compliance and recommends enhancements or modifications as required. Maintains current knowledge on existing and pending legislation relating to chemical and biological safety.
- Is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) Committee, and Chair of the Chemical Safety Committee as an expert on compliance matters related to research and teaching laboratories.
- Communicate and collaborate with the university Compliance Officer and with the Risk and Compliance Coordinator in the development and coordination of emergency response procedures.
- Prepares reports as requested or required. Liaises with regulatory agencies and the System Office.
- Provides general laboratory support, dispenses and maintains safety signage, collection/testing materials and spill kits, maintain list of investigators and responsible for notification of exposures, incidents and accidental releases to proper entities, testing of autoclaves and laboratory hoods.
- Assists with removal of all types of hazardous wastes and coordinate the proper disposal and removal of biohazard materials from research and teaching laboratories at the university.
- Conducts field audits for research and safety compliance to university, system, and federal regulations. Documents results and recommends corrective action where non-compliance is found. Follow-up as required.
- Coordinates, quality controls, and monitors the delivery of biosafety education and training to all Texas A&M-SA faculty, staff, and students who work with or have potential for exposure to biological pathogenic agents.
- Monitors all Texas A&M-SA teaching and research activities involving the use of hazardous biological materials and recombinant DNA molecules for compliance with appropriate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Inspects research and teaching facilities for compliance with regulations and guidelines pertaining to the use, handling, and disposal of potential biohazards and recombinant DNA; coordinates the review and investigation of all biosafety accidents occurring on university campus and develops corrective action plans.
- Develops and implements emergency response procedures for incidents involving biohazardous agents and materials and maintains TEXAS A&M SA Incident Action Plan for biohazards; develops medical surveillance criteria for activities involving biohazards and related materials; responds to biohazardous materials incidents as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to, administration of the blood borne pathogen program at the university.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field.
- Four (4) years of related experience.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or Occupational Health and Safety.
- Two (2) years of experience in biosafety administration, program management, risk management, research compliance, chemical safety, and/or related areas.
- Master’s degree is preferred or Master’s degree and five years of experience.
- Seven (7) years of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)
- Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP)
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong computer skills.
- Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of Biological and Chemical regulations as well as federal laboratory biosafety level regulations and guidelines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
Applicant Requirement Instructions:
Please make sure to provide the following documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume / CV
- Professional References
For detailed instructions on how to apply for any position on our website, please use the following link:
http://www.tamusa.edu/humanresources/job-opportunities/index.html
Summary of Employee Benefits:
www.tamusa.edu/human-resources/documents/Summary-of-Employees-Benefits1.pdf
Texas A&M University-San Antonio values community engagement and encourages applicants who are committed to advancing the well-being and prosperity of our communities.
Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting the application. Once the application is submitted, no changes or revisions can be made. If you have issues with adding documents to your application, please contact HR at 210-784-2058.
In compliance with ADA, if accommodations are needed for the application process, please contact HR at (210) 784-2058.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
Agency
Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Department
Division of Research & Innovation
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
San Antonio, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Under supervision of the Vice President for Research, the Biosafety Officer/ Chemical Safety Officer (BSO/CSO) assists in organizing, managing, implementing, and maintaining programs in compliance for laboratory and research safety in the specific areas of biosafety and chem-safety. Assists in the administration, promotion, development, presentation, training, and coordination of various Safety programs at the university to ensure research and laboratory compliance with University regulations, System regulations, regulatory agencies, and national guidelines.
Responsibilities:
- Assists in the development and implementation of chemical and environmental health and safety programs to meet university and Texas A&M System regulatory requirements. Establishes documents and communicates standards, guidelines and procedures. Develops and delivers training for assigned environmental health and safety programs.
- Develops, implements, and coordinates a comprehensive biological safety program for the university to enhance institutional biosafety-related objectives and to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, guidelines, policies, and directives. Assesses existing programs for regulatory compliance and recommends enhancements or modifications as required. Maintains current knowledge on existing and pending legislation relating to chemical and biological safety.
- Is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) Committee, and Chair of the Chemical Safety Committee as an expert on compliance matters related to research and teaching laboratories.
- Communicate and collaborate with the university Compliance Officer and with the Risk and Compliance Coordinator in the development and coordination of emergency response procedures.
- Prepares reports as requested or required. Liaises with regulatory agencies and the System Office.
- Provides general laboratory support, dispenses and maintains safety signage, collection/testing materials and spill kits, maintain list of investigators and responsible for notification of exposures, incidents and accidental releases to proper entities, testing of autoclaves and laboratory hoods.
- Assists with removal of all types of hazardous wastes and coordinate the proper disposal and removal of biohazard materials from research and teaching laboratories at the university.
- Conducts field audits for research and safety compliance to university, system, and federal regulations. Documents results and recommends corrective action where non-compliance is found. Follow-up as required.
- Coordinates, quality controls, and monitors the delivery of biosafety education and training to all Texas A&M-SA faculty, staff, and students who work with or have potential for exposure to biological pathogenic agents.
- Monitors all Texas A&M-SA teaching and research activities involving the use of hazardous biological materials and recombinant DNA molecules for compliance with appropriate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Inspects research and teaching facilities for compliance with regulations and guidelines pertaining to the use, handling, and disposal of potential biohazards and recombinant DNA; coordinates the review and investigation of all biosafety accidents occurring on university campus and develops corrective action plans.
- Develops and implements emergency response procedures for incidents involving biohazardous agents and materials and maintains TEXAS A&M SA Incident Action Plan for biohazards; develops medical surveillance criteria for activities involving biohazards and related materials; responds to biohazardous materials incidents as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to, administration of the blood borne pathogen program at the university.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field.
- Four (4) years of related experience.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or Occupational Health and Safety.
- Two (2) years of experience in biosafety administration, program management, risk management, research compliance, chemical safety, and/or related areas.
- Master’s degree is preferred or Master’s degree and five years of experience.
- Seven (7) years of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)
- Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP)
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong computer skills.
- Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of Biological and Chemical regulations as well as federal laboratory biosafety level regulations and guidelines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
Applicant Requirement Instructions:
Please make sure to provide the following documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume / CV
- Professional References
For detailed instructions on how to apply for any position on our website, please use the following link:
http://www.tamusa.edu/humanresources/job-opportunities/index.html
Summary of Employee Benefits:
www.tamusa.edu/human-resources/documents/Summary-of-Employees-Benefits1.pdf
Texas A&M University-San Antonio values community engagement and encourages applicants who are committed to advancing the well-being and prosperity of our communities.
Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting the application. Once the application is submitted, no changes or revisions can be made. If you have issues with adding documents to your application, please contact HR at 210-784-2058.
In compliance with ADA, if accommodations are needed for the application process, please contact HR at (210) 784-2058.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
See all 636+ OPT Safety Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Safety Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Safety Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Safety Engineering roles typically fall under STEM OPT extension eligibility. Confirm your degree program's CIP code qualifies before applying, as this gives you 36 months of work authorization instead of 12, making you significantly more attractive to employers.
Highlight relevant certifications early
Credentials like OSHA 30, ASP, or CSP signal job-readiness to hiring managers who are unfamiliar with OPT. List them prominently on your resume. Employers weighing sponsorship risk respond well to candidates who already meet industry-standard certification benchmarks.
Address OPT directly in your cover letter
Briefly state your authorization type and end date upfront. Safety Engineer roles in regulated industries like oil and gas or construction often require background checks and onboarding time, so giving employers a clear timeline reduces hesitation around your work authorization status.
Focus on industries with high sponsorship rates
Manufacturing, chemical processing, and aerospace consistently file more OPT and H-1B visa sponsorships for safety roles than other sectors. Prioritize applications to companies in these industries, where safety compliance is operationally critical and engineering headcount justifies visa sponsorship investment.
Quantify your safety impact on your resume
Employers sponsoring OPT students want evidence of ROI. Lead with metrics: incident rate reductions, compliance audit outcomes, or training programs you implemented. Concrete numbers make your candidacy easier to justify internally when a hiring manager requests sponsorship approval.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Safety Engineer roles often involve pre-employment drug screening, background checks, and site access clearances that can take several weeks. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT begins gives you time to clear these requirements without authorization gaps.
Safety Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Safety Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Safety Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, or occupational safety. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your program's CIP code. If your degree qualifies, you can work for up to three years total on OPT before needing an employer to file for a different visa.
What employers hire Safety Engineers on OPT?
Manufacturing companies, construction firms, chemical processors, aerospace contractors, and large tech campuses all hire Safety Engineers on OPT. Browse Safety Engineer roles on Migrate Mate to find employers actively open to OPT candidates. Roles tied to federal contracts may require additional background screening, so check the job description for security clearance language before applying.
Is a Safety Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Safety Engineers generally qualify as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental health, or a closely related field. This means employers can file an H-1B petition on your behalf after OPT. Roles at larger manufacturing or energy companies are the most likely to have established H-1B sponsorship programs in place.
Can I work as a Safety Engineer on OPT if my degree is in environmental engineering?
Yes, environmental engineering degrees routinely support Safety Engineer job offers because the fields overlap significantly in industrial hygiene, hazard analysis, and regulatory compliance. Your DSO will confirm whether your specific degree program aligns with the job duties. Employers in chemical and energy sectors commonly hire environmental engineering graduates into safety roles without issue.
How much time do I need to allow for onboarding as a Safety Engineer on OPT?
Safety Engineer roles in industries like oil and gas, defense contracting, and heavy manufacturing often require drug tests, background checks, and site-specific safety inductions before your first day. This process can take two to six weeks. Timing your OPT start date carefully and communicating your authorization timeline clearly with your employer avoids gaps between your program end date and your first paycheck.