Principal Process Safety Engineer - Pretoria

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Process Safety Engineer for a leading petrochemical client in Pretoria to champion process safety across facilities, advancing hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation. You will lead PHAs (HAZOP/What-If/FMEA/LOPA), develop and maintain the PSM system, ensure compliance with API/NFPA, and investigate incidents to identify root causes and corrective actions.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, 10+ years in process safety,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in process safety engineering, with chemical/petrochemical exposure.
• Deep knowledge of PHA methodologies (HAZOP, What-If, FMEA, LOPA).
• Strong understanding of PSM elements and implementation.
• Experience in incident investigation and root-cause analysis.
• Familiarity with API, ASME, NFPA safety standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
• PE or equivalent certification highly desirable.
• Willing to relocate to Pretoria, South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Lead PHAs including HAZOP, What-If, FMEA, and LOPA studies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the Process Safety Management system.
• Ensure compliance with national and international process safety standards.
• Investigate process safety incidents and near misses; identify root causes.
• Develop and deliver process safety training to engineers, operators, and management.
• Oversee the Management of Change (MOC) process to ensure safety implications of changes are properly evaluated.
• Review designs of new facilities and modifications for process safety.
• Develop and manage Safety Critical Equipment integrity programs.
• Benchmark process safety performance and drive improvements.
• Act as SME on process safety; mentor junior engineers and foster safety culture.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Influencing skills

Project management

Education

Bachelors in Chemical Engineering

PE certification (desirable)

Job description

Placements24 seeks a Principal Process Safety Engineer for a leading petrochemical client in Pretoria to champion process safety across facilities, advancing hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation. You will lead PHAs (HAZOP/What-If/FMEA/LOPA), develop and maintain the PSM system, ensure compliance with API/NFPA, and investigate incidents to identify root causes and corrective actions.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, 10+ years in process safety,