Senior Process Safety Engineer

PEMEX Deer Park; Deer Park (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical benefits

Vision benefits

Dental benefits

Job summary

PEMEX Deer Park, located in Deer Park, TX, is actively seeking a Senior Process Safety Engineer to oversee process safety risk management, focusing on Management of Change and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews. The role demands technical expertise in refining operations and rigorous adherence to safety protocols.

Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Petroleum Engineering and 8-15 years of process safety experience. We offer a competitive compensation package, paid time off, and a collaborative work environment encouraging personal growth.

Qualifications

• 8–15+ years of experience in process safety or operations within refining or oil & gas.
• Deep working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119 Process Safety Management.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical authority for refinery process safety risk management.
• Serve as the senior technical authority for high-risk MOCs.
• Conduct oversight for significant PSSRs and confirm safety requirements.
• Interpret and integrate QRA, ensuring consistent risk management.

Skills

Process safety management

Quantitative Risk Assessment

Chemical Engineering

Decision-making skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering

Job description

Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership (DPRLP) known as PEMEX Deer Park is a highly complex refinery located 18 miles east of Houston in Deer Park, TX, and is a part of the PEMEX group which is a fully integrated oil company in the Americas, working across the entire value chain: exploration, production, industrial processing/refining, logistics and marketing. PEMEX Deer Park provides a diverse and inclusive work environment that employs approximately 1000 employees with another 1200 contractors on site. The refinery’s rated capacity is 340,000 barrels per day and has the feed flexibility to process multiple grades of crudes to produce the high-quality transportation fuels the world needs. The PEMEX Deer Park site is co-located with other 3rd party chemical facilities allowing for further integration and optimization of the refinery and its products. We set high standards of performance and ethical behaviors and offer challenging and fulfilling job opportunities in a number of fields. We take great pride in our ability to ensure the health and safety of our workers and the environment while being a good neighbor and have a positive impact on the local community where we work.

Benefits

We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive compensation and an extensive benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental, and vision benefits, and future growth opportunities within the company. Plus, we work to maintain the best possible environment for our employees, where people can learn and grow with the company. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning and culture.

Job Summary

The Senior Process Safety Engineer – MOC, PSSR & Risk Integration provides independent technical authority and assurance for refinery process safety risk management, with primary accountability for Management of Change (MOC), Pre‑Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) integration, and the quality and effectiveness of process safety safeguards.

Accountability & Responsibilities

Management of Change (MOC) – Senior Risk Authority

• Serve as the senior technical authority for complex, high‑risk, or non‑routine MOCs.
• Ensure appropriate triggering and application of PHAs, QRA, and other risk studies to support change decisions.
• Exercise independent judgment on risk acceptability and required safeguards.
• Act as the escalation point for unresolved technical or risk‑based disagreements related to MOC.

Pre‑Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) and Operational Readiness

• Provide senior technical oversight for PSSRs associated with significant startups, restarts, and modifications.
• Confirm that PHA and MOC requirements have been adequately resolved and translated into field‑ready safeguards.
• Support "go / no-go" readiness decisions where process safety risk is material.

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) and Risk Integration

• Serve as the site authority for QRA interpretation and integration, including review and approval of contractor‑executed QRA studies.
• Ensure consistency of risk assumptions, acceptance criteria, and interpretation across projects and units.
• Translating QRA results into actionable insights for MOC decisions, siting considerations, and leadership risk discussions.

Safeguard Effectiveness and Dependency Oversight

• Provide senior technical oversight for safeguard quality, effectiveness, and independence across PSM elements.
• Ensure safeguards credited in PHAs, MOCs, and risk studies are realistic, sustainable, and auditable.
• Interface with SIS, alarm management, mechanical integrity, and operations to address safeguard dependencies and weaknesses.

PSM Integration and Follow‑Through

• Ensure effective integration of risk study outcomes into:
• MOCs and PSSRs
• Operating procedures and operating envelopes
• Training, staffing, and operational readiness activities
• Identify recurring or systemic gaps where process safety risks are not being effectively controlled.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering or Petroleum Engineering (preferred); Mechanical or Safety Engineering may be considered.
• 8–15+ years of experience in process safety, process engineering, or operations within refining, petrochemical, or oil & gas facilities.
• Demonstrated experience supporting and interpreting quantitative and semi‑quantitative risk assessments.
• Deep working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119 Process Safety Management.
• Proven ability to exercise independent technical judgment on high‑consequence process safety risks.

Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Education and Experience

• In‑depth understanding of refinery process units, hazards, and safeguard strategies.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Management of Change (MOC) and Pre‑Startup Safety Review (PSSR) requirements
  • Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) concepts and application
  • Safeguard effectiveness, independence, and dependency
• Ability to challenge contractor and EPC deliverables and defend risk positions.
• Strong communication, influence, and decision‑making skills across all organizational levels.
• Recognized as a trusted technical authority within the organization.

Physical requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Occasional extended work hours during planned and unplanned events.
• Must currently hold or be able to qualify to receive a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. Note, information regarding TWIC qualification standards may be found at: https://www.tsa.gov/forindustry/twic