DSEAR Process Safety Engineer

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company is seeking a DSEAR Process Safety Engineer to provide technical expertise and support compliance with regulations. Responsibilities include acting as an SME for DSEAR queries, maintaining asset standards, and driving process improvements. Key qualifications include experience in high-hazard industries and a degree in Chemical Engineering. Benefits include a competitive salary, generous holiday, and excellent pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 days holiday per year

Performance-related pay

Generous pension scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in high-hazard industries such as COMAH regulated.
• Proven experience in process safety management.
• Knowledge of electrical equipment for flammable atmospheres.

Responsibilities

• Act as a Subject Matter Expert for DSEAR queries.
• Maintain DSEAR-related Asset Standards.
• Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency.

Skills

Process Safety Management

DSEAR risk assessment

Site surveying

Stakeholder engagement

Understanding of DSEAR regulations

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

DSEAR Engineering provides technical assurance to Thames Water against high risk, ensuring Thames Water meets its statutory duties under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002. This role is instrumental in accompanying a change of culture and make a difference in a growing area of focus for the water industry.

This role provides technical expertise and assurance across the business, supporting operations and capital delivery projects, maintaining DSEAR-related Asset Standards, and contributing to the continuous improvement of explosion safety practices.

What you’ll be doing as a DSEAR Process Safety Engineer

• Act as an SME for DSEAR queries from Operations, Capital Delivery, and Engineering projects.
• Own and maintain DSEAR-related Asset Standards.
• Ensure updates reflect lessons learned and improvements identified through Continuous Improvement.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of DSEAR competency frameworks.
• Assist in training and appointment processes (HSI32) and mentor colleagues to build organisational capability.
• Manage structured engineering tasks such as site reviews for Hazardous Area Classification and technical studies (e.g., sample testing, ventilation assessments).
• Ensure outputs are documented and integrated into compliance systems.
• Drive streamlining by reducing duplication and moving toward centralised databases for site documentation.
• Implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and build engineering capability.

Base location: Hybrid - Beckton (STW) - IG11 0AD, Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB, Hybrid - Maple Lodge (STW) - WD3 9SQ

Working pattern or hours: 36, Monday- Friday

Necessary requirements for the role: UK valid driving license

What you should bring to the role

• Proven experience in Process Safety Management or DSEAR risk assessment gained from a high-hazard industry (COMAH regulated), including the of Classification and zoning of Hazardous Areas.
• Experience in site surveying, working in an explosion safety engineering environment, checking effectiveness of control measures.
• Experience in structured engineering delivery, including use of formal processes for resource allocation and documentation.
• Ability to capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement and standardisation.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement across operations, capital delivery, and engineering teams.
• Excellent understanding of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR), associated standards and approved Codes of Practice.
• Knowledge of electrical equipment for use in potentially flammable atmospheres.
• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Safety, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring

• Familiarity with COMAH and Fire Safety Regulations.
• Experience in developing and maintaining Asset Standards.
• Knowledge of related industry standards (IGEM, EI, EEMUA).

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £55,000-£67,000k per annum depending on experience
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work

We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers

As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.