Process Safety Engineer - HAZOP & LOPA Specialist

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Hybrid work model

Annual leave

Training & certifications

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington, Northern Cape, seeks a qualified Process Safety Engineer to strengthen safety management systems across chemical processes. You will lead PHAs, LOPA, and QRA efforts and ensure compliance with local regulations while promoting a strong safety culture.

The role blends remote flexibility with on-site collaboration in a hybrid setup, requires at least 5 years in process safety, and offers opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in process safety in chemical/petrochemical/oil & gas.
• Proven ability to facilitate HAZOP and LOPA studies.
• Strong knowledge of PSM principles and regulations.
• Experience with QRA techniques is a plus.
• Certification in Process Safety (e.g., CCPSC) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate PHAs, including HAZOP, What-If and FMEA.
• Conduct LOPA to assess SIS and safeguards.
• Develop and implement PSM programs compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Perform QRA to evaluate process risks.
• Review process designs for safety implications.
• Develop and implement MOC procedures.
• Investigate incidents and near misses; identify root causes.
• Develop and deliver process safety training.
• Stay current with IEC 61511 and related regulations.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and maintenance to foster safety culture.

Skills

HAZOP facilitation

LOPA analysis

QRA

Process Safety Management

Regulatory compliance

SIS knowledge

Hazard identification

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Related discipline

Tools

FMEA

P&ID review tools

HSE software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the chemical and petrochemical industry, is seeking a qualified Process Safety Engineer to enhance their safety management systems. This role is instrumental in identifying, assessing, and mitigating process-related hazards to ensure the safety of personnel, the environment, and assets. You will lead and participate in critical safety studies, including Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA). The position is based in the bustling city of Upington, Northern Cape , and operates under a hybrid model, offering a dynamic work environment that balances remote flexibility with essential on-site collaboration. Your expertise will be key in upholding the highest safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), including HAZOP, What-If, and FMEA studies
• Conduct Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) to evaluate the adequacy of safety instrumented systems (SIS) and other safeguards
• Develop and implement process safety management (PSM) programs in compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA PSM, Seveso Directive)
• Perform quantitative risk assessments (QRA) to evaluate potential risks associated with chemical processes
• Review process designs and modifications for safety implications
• Develop and implement procedures for management of change (MOC)
• Investigate process safety incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions
• Develop and deliver process safety training to relevant personnel
• Stay current with industry best practices, standards (e.g., IEC 61511), and regulations related to process safety
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to foster a strong safety culture

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process safety engineering within the chemical, petrochemical, or oil and gas industries
• Proven experience in facilitating and leading HAZOP and LOPA studies
• Strong understanding of process safety management principles, standards, and regulations
• Knowledge of safety instrumented systems (SIS), relief systems, and other safety technologies
• Experience with quantitative risk assessment (QRA) techniques is a plus
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, managing both remote and on-site responsibilities
• Certification in Process Safety (e.g., CCPSC) is highly desirable
• Familiarity with the South African chemical industry safety landscape is an advantage

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual bonus opportunities
• Hybrid work model providing work-life balance
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plan
• Generous annual leave and sick leave
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications
• Access to advanced process simulation and safety analysis software
• A challenging role within a company committed to safety excellence