Machine Safety Specialist

Machine Safety & Risk Assessment Engineer – Contract Employment Type: Fixed-Term / Project-Based Contract Rate: Up to $50 USD per hour, dependent on experience Travel: Flights, accommodation, per diem and approved travel expenses provided Deployment Duration: Typically 1–2 weeks per assignment Role Overview We are seeking experienced Machine Safety & Risk Assessment Engineers to support a growing program of machinery, automation and material-handling safety projects across the USA and Mexico. The role will support short-duration client deployments involving machinery risk assessments (MRA), operational risk assessments, machine safety compliance reviews and onsite validation & verification (V&V). Projects will cover a diverse range of industrial and automated equipment, including printing and production machinery, material-handling systems, conveyors, automated equipment, airport ground-support equipment, loading systems, transfer equipment and prototype machinery. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently within operational facilities, engaging with engineering and operations teams, inspecting machinery and producing technically robust risk-assessment documentation. Key Responsibilities Conduct onsite machinery and equipment risk assessments. Identify mechanical, electrical, functional, ergonomic and operational hazards. Evaluate risks associated with normal operation, setup, maintenance, cleaning, fault recovery and foreseeable misuse. Review existing machine guarding and safeguarding arrangements. Assess emergency-stop systems, interlocks, access controls, safety devices and other protective measures. Review machinery against applicable client requirements, recognized standards and regulatory requirements. Support the development and completion of formal Machinery Risk Assessments (MRAs). Conduct operational risk assessments considering interaction between equipment, operators, maintenance personnel and the surrounding workplace. Identify risk-reduction measures and recommend practical engineering and administrative controls. Review OEM documentation, drawings, manuals, specifications and existing risk-assessment information. Support assessment of modified, prototype or locally developed machinery. Participate in discussions with OEMs, integrators, engineering teams, site operations and EHS representatives. Produce clear findings, photographs, evidence and technical notes during site assessments. Support preparation of professional client reports, risk registers and corrective-action recommendations. Conduct onsite Validation & Verification activities following completion of risk assessments and implementation of corrective actions. Verify that identified safeguards and risk-reduction measures have been implemented and are functioning as intended. Document outstanding gaps and provide evidence-based close-out recommendations. Work in accordance with client site safety requirements and project procedures. Typical Equipment / Projects Assignments may include assessments of: Automated and semi-automated machinery Industrial printing equipment Embroidery and textile machinery Conveyors and material-handling systems Transfer belts and loading equipment Dock and loading systems Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Airport material-handling equipment Shaker / vibratory equipment Pallet and container handling systems Automated packaging and fulfilment equipment Prototype or locally engineered machinery Modified machinery and existing installations Technical Knowledge Candidates should have practical knowledge of machinery safety and risk assessment methodologies. Experience with some or all of the following would be advantageous: ISO 12100 – Machinery Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction ISO 13849 – Safety-Related Parts of Control Systems IEC 62061 – Functional Safety of Machinery ANSI B11 machinery safety standards OSHA machinery and workplace safety requirements NFPA 70 / NFPA 79 Lockout/Tagout and hazardous ene…