Engineer-Process Safety, Lead

Primary Purpose:

The Lead Process Safety Engineer is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of process safety programs to ensure safe and compliant operations within power plants and natural gas pipeline facilities. This role provides technical leadership in hazard identification, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and safety management systems. The Lead Engineer collaborates closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, and regulatory bodies to promote a strong safety culture and minimize process risks.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

- Lead the development and management of process safety programs, including Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), Management of Change (MOC), and Incident Investigation.

- Oversee risk assessments and hazard evaluations for power plant and natural gas pipeline projects to identify and mitigate potential safety risks.

- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards such as OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, API, NFPA, ANSI, and relevant local/state codes.

- Develop, review, and update process safety documentation, including safety cases, operating procedures, and emergency response plans.

- Lead and facilitate safety audits, inspections, and regulatory agency interactions.

- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to safety engineers and cross-functional teams on process safety best practices.

- Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to integrate safety requirements into design, construction, and operational phases.

- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance process safety performance and reduce incident rates.

- Support incident investigations and root cause analyses, ensuring corrective actions are implemented effectively.

- Deliver training and awareness programs to promote process safety culture across the organization.

- Participate in risk management and decision-making processes related to plant and pipeline safety.

- Coordinate with contractors and vendors to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Safety Engineering, or related field.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

- 15 years of engineering experience. Experience in process safety engineering within power generation facilities (coal, gas, combined cycle, renewable) or oil & gas industry.

- Understanding of power plant processes including steam generation, combustion, emissions control, and electrical generation.

- Knowledge of industry standards and regulatory requirements related to power plants.

- Ability to work in both office and plant environments, including site visits and shift work if required.

- Strong knowledge of process safety management systems, hazard analysis techniques, and regulatory requirements.

- Proven leadership experience managing process safety programs and teams.

- Familiarity with industry standards such as OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, API RP 754, NFPA 85/86, and pipeline safety regulations.

- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence safety culture.

- Experience with risk assessment tools and software.

- Experience with power plant performance monitoring and optimization tools.

- Knowledge of cybersecurity practices for industrial control systems.

- Familiarity with environmental control systems (e.g., SCR, FGD).

- Project management and vendor coordination experience.

- Familiarity with OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management ANSI/ISA-61511 Other similar industry standards

- Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Calculations

- Strong proficiency in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).

- Knowledge of industry’s regulatory compliance issues and standards.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

- Must be able to take direction from supervisor(s), keep required work schedule, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.

- Ability to lead execution of work and resolve issues in a team environment.

- Strong attention to detail, facilitation, team building, collaboration, organization and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to perform quality reviews for detailed engineering documents and specifications.

- Ability to travel. accredited program.

- Ability to take on additional tasks and shift priorities on short notice.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Strong focus on safe work practices.

- Able to complete work assignments with moderate supervision in an acceptable timeframe.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Aptitude and interest in learning and leveraging new programs to accomplish tasks.

- Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.

- Must be able to work with a team.

- Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.

- Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.

- The individual must possess the ability to associate and communicate with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.

Physical Demands:

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling.

- Must be able to climb to and work from elevated platforms, ladders and walkways

- Must be able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, climb vertical access ladders and stairwells, carry up to 50 pounds and to see, hear, walk and talk effectively.

- Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.

- The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

- This is a full-time position.

- Essentially indoors but must be able to work outdoors in project & maintenance activities.

- Travel from 40% of time to engineering offices, field sites and company offices with occasional overnight stays.

- May be required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.

- The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

- Yes

Preferred Education, Experience, Certifications, Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

Above the minimum requirements, not required but advantageous in this position:

- Master of Science Engineering a plus.

- Professional Engineering License (PE) preferred.

- Strong knowledge of process safety management systems, hazard analysis techniques, and regulatory requirements.

- Proven leadership experience managing process safety programs and teams.

- Familiarity with industry standards such as OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, API RP 754, NFPA 85/86, and pipeline safety regulations.

- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence safety culture.

- Experience with risk assessment tools and software.

Compensation:

- The annual salary range for this position will be $185,000-$241,100/yr.

Other responsibilities:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.