Senior Chemical Process Safety Engineer

Placements24; Queenstown (MD); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Chemical Process Safety Engineer to strengthen safety management at their Queenstown facility. The role focuses on leading PHAs, developing robust PSM programs, and advising on process safety across operations. Hybrid engagement includes site work in Queenstown with remote analysis.

The candidate will investigate incidents, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous safety improvements. Strong communication and ability to influence stakeholders are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in chemical process safety engineering.
• Expertise in facilitating and leading PHAs (HAZOP, What-If, FMEA).
• In-depth knowledge of PSM elements and applicable safety regulations.
• Experience with Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) design and verification principles advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct PHAs (HAZOP, What-If, FMEA) for complex chemical processes.
• Develop, implement and maintain Process Safety Management (PSM) systems.
• Investigate process safety incidents and near misses; identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with national and international process safety regulations and best practices.
• Review engineering designs, MOC proposals and PSSRs to ensure safety integrity.
• Develop and deliver process safety training to engineering, operations and maintenance teams.
• Provide SME guidance on process safety queries and risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitor and report KPIs and champion a safety culture.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

SIS design and verification

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major industrial chemicals producer, is seeking a Senior Chemical Process Safety Engineer to bolster their safety management capabilities at their facility in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This crucial role will focus on ensuring the highest standards of process safety across all operations, driving proactive risk management, and ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will be a key advisor on process safety matters, leading hazard assessments, incident investigations, and the continuous improvement of safety systems. This hybrid role allows for essential site engagement in Queenstown combined with remote flexibility for analysis and documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct comprehensive process hazard analyses (PHAs), including HAZOP, What-If, and FMEA studies for complex chemical processes.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust Process Safety Management (PSM) systems and programs.
• Investigate process safety incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and recommending effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure compliance with all national and international process safety regulations and industry best practices.
• Review engineering designs, management of change (MOC) proposals, and pre-startup safety reviews (PSSRs) to ensure safety integrity.
• Develop and deliver process safety training to engineering, operations, and maintenance personnel.
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance on process safety technical queries and risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitor and report on key process safety performance indicators (KPIs).
• Champion a strong safety culture throughout the organization.
• Stay current with evolving process safety standards and technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in chemical process safety engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in facilitating and leading PHAs (HAZOP, etc.) for various chemical processes.
• In-depth knowledge of PSM elements and applicable safety regulations.
• Experience with Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) design and verification principles is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience with incident investigation techniques and root cause analysis.
• Professional safety certification (e.g., CSP, CIIS) is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid, provident fund, and performance-based bonuses.
• Professional development and training opportunities are provided to support career growth.
• This role is based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, with a hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.