Director of Safety (m/w/d)

Dandelion Energy is transforming how homes are heated and cooled—starting from (below) the ground up. As the nation’s leading residential geothermal company, we design, install, and maintain all-in-one heating and cooling systems that are cleaner, quieter, and up to 4x more efficient than traditional HVAC, with a focus on large, scaled deployments to large homebuilders. We’re an ambitious (and growing) team on a mission to revolutionize home heating.

Backed by Google Ventures (GV) and other top tech investors, our end-to-end geothermal solution is breaking the status quo of residential heating and cooling technology, and we’re scaling rapidly to meet demand. Whether we’re serving national homebuilders or individual homeowners, our mission is the same: to make geothermal the default choice for heating and cooling in the U.S.

About the job

At Dandelion, safety isn’t just a requirement — it’s a core value. The Director of Safety will lead all safety policies, programs, and initiatives nationwide, ensuring our operations are conducted with the highest regard for teammate well-being, property protection, and quality assurance.

This role will focus heavily on our drilling, excavating, and other field construction activities across the Northeast, Maryland, and Colorado. The Director will shape and sustain a strong culture of safety, driving proactive best practices while ensuring compliance with OSHA and all relevant regulations.

You’ll report directly to the President and collaborate closely with Operations, Project Management, HR, and other senior leaders to embed safety into every part of our work.

Responsibilities

• Culture, policy, and training: Build and enhance a proactive safety culture across all teams. Create, guide, and oversee all safety policies, programs, and training to maximize safety, minimize risk, and support teammates.
• On-Site Support: Perform regular safety compliance visits to job sites and warehouses in an organized and tracked program.
• Fleet: Manage safe driving practices across a large fleet; proactively coach and train drivers and employees on safe driving behaviors.
• KPIs: Analyze operations to develop and implement safety KPIs and track performance against goals.
• Compliance: Own timely reporting and compliance with OSHA and related state/federal regulations.
• Licensure: Support and provide consultation around drilling and CDL licensure requirements in targeted states.
• Insurance & Claims: Partner with HR to ensure that employee incidents (injuries, vehicle accidents, property damages, etc.) are promptly investigated, reported, and closed out with corrective actions. Work closely with insurance providers on renewals, open claims, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Collaboration: Ensure alignment on safety priorities by working with Operations, Finance, HR, Fleet Management, and senior leadership. Recommend and secure buy-in for annual company safety goals (e.g., accident reduction, inspections, job hazard analyses, training programs).

You will thrive in this role if you have

• A love for being in the field, working cross-functionality, and solving problems quickly
• Excellent communication skills — both verbal and written.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to influence and engage leaders and field teams alike.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Must-haves

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, Construction Engineering, or related field — or equivalent safety certifications/experience (e.g., ASP, CSP, CIH).
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in safety roles, including at least 3–5 years in a leadership/management capacity responsible for developing and driving safety programs (not just implementing them).
• OSHA 30 Certification, with deep knowledge of OSHA construction regulations and policies.
• Expertise in construction safety principles, including safe operation of heavy equipment (e.g., excavators, drill rigs, skid steers, trailers).
• Experience building and sustaining a strong safety culture in a construction or field-operations environment.
• Proven success developing and delivering safety training programs.
• Knowledge of insurance and workers’ compensation claims processes for jobsite injuries and property damage.
• Ability to work in-office at least 3 days per week in Peekskill, NY or 4 days per week in Arlington, VA.
• Ability and desire to travel regularly (approx. 25%) to field locations.

Bonus points for

• Master’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Health, or related field.
• OSHA 500 Construction Trainer Certification (or higher).
• CSP, CIH, or other advanced safety designations.

Compensation

The expected annual base salary for this exempt role is $120,000-$150,000 with an additional equity component. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, geography, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This position also has an equity component as part of the overall compensation package.

You’ll love working at Dandelion because

Since spinning out of Google X in 2017, Dandelion Energy has been transforming home heating and cooling through cutting-edge geothermal technology. We design and install the most efficient residential heat pump in the U.S., serving both individual homeowners and some of the nation’s largest homebuilders.

Our team has elevated the profile of geothermal heat pumps nationally, delivered thousands of high-quality installations across the country, and successfully championed electrification-friendly policy at local and federal levels.

We’re a multidisciplinary, mission-driven team of experts—spanning hardware engineering, HVAC, drilling, solar finance, behavioral economics, and startup operations—united by a shared mission: to make clean, affordable heating and cooling the default for every home. The work is complex, meaningful, and built to scale.

We foster a collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work culture where cross-functional teamwork, curiosity, and continuous learning are core to how we operate. Our nationwide team is united by a shared passion for sustainability and a commitment to scaling clean, affordable energy solutions that make a real difference.

We’re driving a wholesale shift in how homes are heated and cooled—join us.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical (including mental health), dental, vision, and pet insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Commuter benefits
• Generous paid sick leave, vacation, and parental leave
• Learning & development support, including on-the-job training and virtual courses