Technical Safety Lead

Orion Group; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Group is recruiting on behalf of a leading North Sea operator for a Senior Technical Safety Lead (Technical Authority). The role provides expert leadership, independent assurance and strategic direction across assets and projects.

You will set expectations, define standards, oversee Major Accident Hazard management and regulatory submissions, and mentor safety professionals across the business. This senior role requires a degree in Chemical or Process Engineering, extensive offshore safety

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• Extensive Technical Safety and Process Safety experience.
• Strong UK offshore oil & gas experience with major hazard management.

Responsibilities

• Act as Technical Authority for Technical Safety; provide independent assurance and direction on Major Accident Hazard management.
• Lead and review Technical Safety studies and regulatory submissions; influence stakeholders.
• Set expectations and define standards; mentor Technical Safety professionals across assets and projects.
• Communicate clearly across a wide range of stakeholders; resolve challenges and prevent conflicts.
• Support safe operations and robust decision-making; ensure ALARP demonstrations where applicable.
• Drive continuous improvement in Technical Safety practices and learning across the portfolio.

Skills

Technical Safety

Leadership

Communication

Education

Degree in Chemical/Process Engineering

Job description

Our client is a leading North Sea operator who are seeking a Technical Safety Lead (Technical Authority). This is a staff role with hybrid working options. The role is to provide expert technical leadership, independent assurance and strategic direction across our assets and projects. This is a senior discipline role for an individual recognised as an authoritative Technical Safety professional who combines deep expertise with sound judgement and the ability to influence at all levels.

Reporting to the Technical Safety Manager, you will act as the discipline Technical Authority, setting expectations, defining standards and providing independent oversight to ensure Technical Safety risks are identified, assessed and managed effectively. Your expertise will support safe operations, robust decision-making and compliance with regulatory requirements across our portfolio.

You will be a trusted advisor to operational, project and leadership teams, providing clear guidance on major hazard management, risk assessment, ALARP demonstrations and Technical Safety studies. While confident in your technical authority, you'll work collaboratively across the business, building credibility through strong Communication and mutual Respect.

The role offers the opportunity to shape how Technical Safety is applied across the company, from supporting existing operations to influencing future developments. You will lead by example, ensuring technical excellence while empowering others to make informed, risk-based decisions through a culture of Empowerment & Accountability.

As a recognised leader within the discipline, you will champion continuous Learning, sharing industry insights, mentoring colleagues and driving improvements that strengthen our management of Major Accident Hazards and support operational excellence

What we are looking for in potential candidates:

We're looking for an experienced Technical Safety leader who can provide authoritative technical guidance while building strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Technical Authority for Technical Safety, providing independent assurance, expert judgement and clear direction on Major Accident Hazard management.
• Provide authoritative technical leadership, with the confidence to challenge constructively and hold the line when safety, integrity or regulatory compliance demands it.
• Build credibility and trusted relationships across asset, project and leadership teams, working collaboratively to achieve practical and effective risk-based outcomes.
• Lead and influence complex technical safety studies, risk assessments and regulatory submissions, delivering high-quality outputs while balancing competing operational and project priorities.
• Communicate clearly across a wide range of stakeholders, facilitating constructive discussion, resolving challenges and helping prevent conflicts before they arise.
• Mentor and support Technical Safety professionals, promoting technical excellence, continuous learning and the delivery of robust, defensible solutions, even in high-pressure environments

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive Technical Safety and Process Safety experience supporting both operational assets and engineering projects.
• Strong UK offshore oil and gas experience, with a thorough understanding of major hazard management and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience leading and reviewing Technical Safety studies such as QRA, fire and explosion assessments, dispersion modelling, EER analysis and hazard identification workshops.
• Demonstrated ability to provide authoritative technical advice, make informed recommendations and influence stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Strong communicator who remains collaborative, credible and effective when working under pressure or managing challenging discussions.