H&S Engineer
Employer not yet confirmed · Zurich, Switzerland · onsite
Coherent is a global leader in photonics, developing advanced laser, optical and materials technologies that enable semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, advanced communications and precision industrial applications worldwide.
Health & Safety Engineer
Join our team as a Health & Safety Engineer and play a key role in supporting a high-tech semiconductor manufacturing environment. Working closely with Operations, Engineering and Facilities teams, you will lead process safety and occupational health initiatives, ensuring that new equipment, process changes and site development projects are designed and implemented safely. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced H&S professional with a strong technical background, ideally in chemistry or chemical engineering, to make a visible impact in a complex manufacturing setting.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the Health & Safety workstream for equipment, process and site development projects from concept through commissioning and operational handover.
- Conduct and facilitate risk assessments, process hazard analyses (HAZOP) and Management of Change (MOC) activities for manufacturing processes, chemicals and gas systems.
- Assess and implement process safety safeguards, including ventilation systems, gas detection, safe isolation methods and explosion protection measures.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering and Facilities teams to ensure compliance with Swiss occupational health and safety regulations and company standards.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, using KPIs and audits to identify opportunities for enhanced safety performance.
- Lead incident and near-miss investigations, identifying root causes and ensuring effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
- Support occupational health programs, chemical exposure prevention activities and industrial hygiene initiatives.
- Contribute to emergency preparedness planning, including response arrangements for chemical and gas-related incidents.
What You’ll Bring
- Technical qualification or university degree in a relevant discipline such as Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Process Technology.
- Certified Safety Engineer, Safety Specialist, ASGS Specialist (eidgenössischer Fachausweis), or equivalent qualification recognised in Switzerland.
- Several years of Health & Safety experience within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of Swiss occupational health and safety requirements and the ASA safety system.
- Experience conducting risk assessments, incident investigations and implementing safety improvement programs.
- Fluent German and good English communication skills, both written and spoken.
Preferred Experience
- Background in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Chemical Process Technology.
- Hands-on experience with HAZOP, Process Hazard Analysis and Management of Change (MOC) processes.
- Knowledge of process safety principles involving chemicals, gases and manufacturing operations.
- Experience with ATEX and explosion protection requirements.
- Previous experience within semiconductor, chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with industrial hygiene, occupational health or laser safety programs.
Key Competencies
- Process Safety & Risk Management
- Technical Problem Solving
- Project Coordination & Leadership
- Stakeholder Management
- Communication & Collaboration
- Continuous Improvement Mindset
What We Offer
Our benefits vary by country and role. Depending on your location, your package may include:
- Competitive base salary and annual incentive eligibility
- Employer-supported pension or retirement provision
- Health, wellbeing and employee-assistance programmes
- Life and income-protection benefits
- Flexible-working arrangements, where compatible with the role
- Learning and professional-development opportunities
- Employee recognition and share programmes
Our ICARE Values
How we work is just as important as what we achieve. Everyone at Coherent is expected to demonstrate our ICARE values:
🤝 Integrity – Create an environment of trust
✨ Collaboration – Innovate through the sharing of ideas
🎯 Accountability – Own the process and the outcome
🌍 Respect – Recognise the value in everyone
🚀 Enthusiasm – Find a sense of purpose in work
Application and Selection
Current employees who wish to apply should submit a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and how their skills and experience align with the requirements of the role.
If you require an adjustment or accessibility accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact john.cairney@coherent.com. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Join us and help shape the technologies that connect, inform and transform our world.