Senior Process Safety Engineer

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonuses

Health insurance and retirement plans

Generous annual leave

Strong safety culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a highly experienced Senior Process Safety Engineer to lead risk assessment and safety assurance across energy operations. You will identify, evaluate and mitigate process hazards to protect people, the environment, and assets.

The role requires expert knowledge of PHA methods (HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA), PSMS implementation, SIL and functional safety, plus strong leadership and stakeholder engagement to drive improvements and compliance.

Qualifications

• Expertise in process hazard analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments.
• Strong knowledge of PSMS, safety standards, and regulatory expectations.
• Experience leading safety programs and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Conduct PHAs (HAZOP/LOPA/FMEA) to identify process hazards.
• Develop and implement PSMS aligned with industry best practices.
• Review designs and modifications for safety compliance.
• Investigate process safety incidents and drive corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver process safety training for staff.
• Monitor KPIs and lead safety improvement initiatives.

Skills

PHA methods

HAZOP

LOPA

FMEA

PSMS

SIL

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Process Safety Engineer to join their dedicated safety assurance team in Durban . This crucial role focuses on ensuring the highest standards of process safety across all operational facilities within the energy industry . You will be responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating process-related hazards to prevent accidents and protect personnel, the environment, and assets. This is a key position that requires deep technical knowledge, strong leadership capabilities, and a proactive approach to safety management in a complex industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) , including HAZOP, LOPA, and FMEA studies.
• Develop and implement robust process safety management systems (PSMS) in line with industry best practices.
• Review engineering designs and modifications to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
• Investigate process safety incidents, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver process safety training programs for operational and engineering staff.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for process safety and report on trends and improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related technical field.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in process safety engineering , ideally within the oil, gas, or chemical energy sectors .
• In-depth knowledge of major accident hazard regulations and standards (e.g., OSHA PSM, Seveso Directive).
• Proven experience conducting various types of PHA methodologies and risk assessments.
• Strong understanding of Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessments and functional safety.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and accident insurance plans.
• Generous annual leave and opportunities for further professional qualifications.
• A strong safety culture with significant investment in employee well-being.
• Challenging and rewarding career opportunities within the Durban industrial landscape.