Principal Chemical Engineer - Process Safety Management

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 2,964,000 - 3,952,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Annual performance bonus

Professional development allowance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Principal Chemical Engineer to lead our client’s Process Safety Management (PSM) initiatives. This remote, executive-level role requires overseeing risk assessments, PHAs, safety audits, and safety culture across global operations.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in chemical engineering with a strong PSM background, expertise in HAZOP/LOPA/FMEA, and familiarity with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, and Seveso directives. CSP/CIH are desirable.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years of chemical engineering experience with 10+ years in process safety engineering/management.
• In-depth knowledge of PHA methodologies (HAZOP, LOPA, etc.).
• Expertise in PSM standards (OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, Seveso).
• Strong understanding of chemical processes, equipment, and hazards.
• Proven incident investigation and root cause analysis expertise.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to work autonomously in a remote environment.
• Professional safety certifications (e.g., CSP, CIH) are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement robust PSM systems and programs per international standards and local regs.
• Lead and facilitate PHAs (HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA).
• Conduct safety audits and inspections of chemical facilities and processes.
• Develop and maintain safety-critical procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• Investigate process safety incidents and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide expert PSM training to engineering, operations and management.
• Stay current with evolving PSM regulations and best practices.
• Champion a proactive safety culture across the organization.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance; manage vendors as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Influencing

Autonomy

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

HAZOP

LOPA

FMEA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in industrial chemical production, is seeking a highly experienced and distinguished Principal Chemical Engineer to lead their Process Safety Management (PSM) initiatives. This role is entirely remote, offering unparalleled flexibility to candidates across various locations. You will be the foremost authority on process safety, responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive PSM programs to ensure the highest levels of safety across all operations. This includes conducting rigorous risk assessments, leading safety audits, and driving a strong safety culture. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in hazard identification, risk analysis, and regulatory compliance within the chemical industry. This is a senior-level position for an individual passionate about preventing incidents and protecting people and assets. Your expertise will be crucial in upholding our client's commitment to safety excellence, regardless of geographic location. We are committed to a remote-first approach to maximize talent acquisition.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement robust Process Safety Management (PSM) systems and programs in accordance with international standards and local regulations.
• Lead and facilitate Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), including HAZOP, LOPA, and FMEA studies.
• Conduct comprehensive safety audits and inspections of chemical facilities and processes.
• Develop and maintain safety-critical procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• Investigate process safety incidents, root cause analyses, and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide expert technical guidance and training on PSM principles to engineering, operations, and management teams.
• Stay current with evolving PSM regulations, industry best practices, and emerging safety technologies.
• Champion a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies and ensure compliance with all safety-related legislation.
• Manage external safety consultants and vendors as required.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field from a recognized institution.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in chemical engineering, with a significant focus (10+ years) on process safety engineering and management.
• In-depth knowledge and practical experience with various PHA methodologies (HAZOP, LOPA, etc.).
• Expertise in Process Safety Management (PSM) standards (e.g., OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, Seveso Directive).
• Strong understanding of chemical processes, equipment, and their associated hazards.
• Proven experience in incident investigation and root cause analysis.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively manage multiple priorities in a remote environment.
• Professional certifications in safety (e.g., CSP, CIH) are highly desirable.

Benefits

• This position offers a highly competitive executive-level salary, comprehensive remote work benefits, annual performance bonuses, and a generous allowance for professional development, including conferences and training.
• Our client provides cutting-edge remote collaboration tools and fosters a supportive virtual work environment.
• This is a full-time, permanent role for a recognized expert in process safety, contributing to the well‑being of operations globally.