Principal Process Safety Engineer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Housing option

Medical aid

Life insurance

Retirement fund

Annual leave

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Principal Process Safety Engineer to lead safety design, operation and maintenance of high-hazard facilities. You will drive PSM programs, conduct PHAs (HAZOP/LOPA/PHA), and ensure SIS integrity while guiding engineering and operations teams.

You will mentor junior safety engineers, establish KPIs, and ensure compliance with IEC 61508/61511 and CCPS guidelines.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in process safety engineering within chemical/energy sectors.
• Proficient in HAZOP, LOPA and risk assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of PSM elements and SIS design.
• Familiarity with IEC 61508/61511, CCPS guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead PHAs (HAZOP, What-If, FMEA) and risk assessments.
• Develop and implement Process Safety Management programs.
• Determine SILs for Safety Instrumented Systems.
• Develop/review process safety designs from concept to detail.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Deliver process safety training to staff and management.
• Establish KPIs for process safety performance.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and codes.
• Provide expertise on inherently safer design and risk reduction.
• Manage MOC processes and change reviews.
• Mentor junior safety engineers and promote a safety culture.

Skills

HAZOP

LOPA

PHA

PSM

SIS

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major industrial player within the Energy and chemical processing sector, is seeking a highly experienced Principal Process Safety Engineer to join their esteemed team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This senior role is paramount to ensuring the highest standards of safety in the design, operation, and maintenance of complex industrial facilities. The ideal candidate will possess an in-depth understanding of process safety management (PSM) principles, hazard identification and risk assessment techniques (HAZOP, LOPA, PHA), and safety instrumented systems (SIS). You will be responsible for leading process safety initiatives, developing and implementing robust safety procedures, and providing expert guidance to engineering and operations teams. This position offers a critical opportunity to influence safety culture and standards at a leading industrial site, contributing significantly to the prevention of accidents and environmental incidents. You will champion safety excellence, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Your technical expertise and leadership will be vital in safeguarding personnel, assets, and the environment in a high-hazard operational setting. This role requires a meticulous approach and a deep commitment to process safety integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), including HAZOP, What-If, and FMEA studies.
• Develop and implement comprehensive Process Safety Management (PSM) programs aligned with industry standards (e.g., OSHA PSM, COMAH).
• Perform Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) and determine Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS).
• Develop and review engineering designs to ensure process safety is integrated from the conceptual stage.
• Investigate process safety incidents, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and deliver process safety training to plant personnel, engineers, and management.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for process safety performance.
• Ensure compliance with relevant national and international process safety regulations and codes.
• Provide technical expertise on inherently safer design principles and risk reduction strategies.
• Manage MOC (Management of Change) processes to ensure safety reviews are conducted for all modifications.
• Mentor junior safety engineers and promote a strong safety culture throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in process safety engineering within the chemical, petrochemical, or energy industry.
• Extensive experience in conducting HAZOP, LOPA, and other risk assessment methodologies.
• In-depth knowledge of PSM elements, including mechanical integrity, MOC, pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR), and emergency preparedness.
• Understanding of SIS design and SIL verification processes.
• Familiarity with relevant safety standards and regulations (e.g., IEC 61508/61511, CCPS guidelines).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and influencing abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based incentive program.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave and long-service leave benefits.
• Opportunities for advanced training and professional development.
• Relocation assistance to Richards Bay .
• Significant role in ensuring operational integrity and safety at a major industrial complex.
• Access to state-of-the-art safety assessment tools and technologies.
• Company-provided housing or generous housing allowance.