Lead Process Safety Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Remote work setup support

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Process Safety Engineer for a fully remote role serving global oil & gas operations. You will develop and oversee robust process safety management systems, lead hazard analyses (HAZOP/LOPA/FMEA), and drive risk reduction initiatives.

Strong leadership and remote collaboration are essential to guide project teams and ensure regulatory compliance. With 10+ years in process safety, you will supervise investigations, mentor staff, and promote a zero-incident safety culture

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in process safety engineering, Oil & Gas focus.
• In-depth knowledge of PSM, hazard analyses (HAZOP/LOPA) and risk assessment.
• Incident investigation and root cause analysis experience.
• Familiarity with OSHA, API, NFPA and international standards.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• Proficient in relevant safety software and tools.
• Commitment to a zero-incident safety culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and continuous improvement of Process Safety Management systems.
• Conduct hazard identification and risk assessment studies (HAZOP/LOPA/FMEA).
• Develop risk reduction strategies with effective control measures.
• Oversee incident investigations and root cause analysis with corrective actions.
• Create and deliver process safety training for personnel at all levels.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA PSM or equivalent standards.
• Advise project teams as process safety SME and support PSI accuracy.
• Champion safety culture and proactive risk management across global teams.
• Evaluate and approve MOC requests from a process safety perspective.

Skills

Senior leadership

Hazard identification

Risk assessment

Incident investigation

Hazop/LOPA/FMEA

Remote collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelors in Chemical Engineering

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About the Role This is a fully remote opportunity for a Lead Process Safety Engineer with our client, a leading force in the Oil & Gas industry. The successful candidate will be instrumental in developing, implementing, and overseeing robust process safety management systems to ensure the highest standards of safety across all operations. This role requires a strategic thinker with extensive experience in hazard identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of preventative and mitigative safety measures. As a remote-first position, you will leverage digital collaboration tools and maintain strong communication channels to connect with teams globally. Our client is dedicated to protecting its people, assets, and the environment, and this role is central to achieving that mission. You will play a pivotal part in shaping and reinforcing our client's safety culture, driving continuous improvement in process safety performance from anywhere in the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Process Safety Management (PSM) systems in compliance with relevant regulations and industry best practices.
• Conduct comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessment studies, including HAZOP, LOPA, and FMEA, for new and existing facilities.
• Develop and implement risk reduction strategies, ensuring effective control measures are in place and maintained.
• Oversee incident investigations, root cause analysis, and the implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Develop and deliver process safety training programs to personnel at all levels.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety standards and regulations, such as OSHA PSM or equivalent international standards.
• Act as a subject matter expert on process safety, providing guidance and support to project teams and operational staff.
• Manage and maintain process safety information (PSI) and ensure its accuracy and accessibility.
• Champion a strong safety culture throughout the organization, promoting proactive risk management and safety awareness.
• Evaluate and approve management of change (MOC) requests from a process safety perspective.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in process safety engineering, with a significant focus on the Oil & Gas sector.
• In-depth knowledge of process safety management systems, hazard analysis techniques (HAZOP, LOPA), and risk assessment methodologies.
• Experience with incident investigation and root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with international safety standards and regulations (e.g., OSHA, API, NFPA).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to manage projects and drive initiatives independently in a remote setting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in relevant safety software and tools.
• Commitment to promoting a zero-incident safety culture.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, commensurate with experience.
• Our client provides comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Employees also benefit from a generous retirement savings plan, professional development opportunities, and access to the latest remote work technologies.
• This role is based in Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA , but requires no physical presence in the office, allowing for flexibility and global work arrangements.
• Enjoy the freedom to work from your preferred location while contributing to a world-class organization.