Technical Lead - Process Safety Design

Job Requirements

Technical Lead - Process Safety Design JD:

Key Responsibilities

1. Process Safety Technical Leadership

• Lead and provide technical direction for Process Safety Engineering activities across projects.
• Establish project-specific Process Safety Design Basis, philosophies, criteria and engineering requirements.
• Review and approve key Process Safety deliverables and provide technical assurance.
• Resolve complex technical issues and provide fit-for-purpose engineering solutions.
• Ensure consistency and quality of Process Safety deliverables across projects.

2. Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment

• Lead/review HAZID, HAZOP, LOPA, SIL assessment, QRA and other risk assessment activities.
• Identify major accident hazards and ensure appropriate prevention, protection and mitigation measures are incorporated.
• Ensure risk reduction measures are technically justified and aligned with ALARP principles.
• Review risk registers, action tracking and close-out of safety-related recommendations.

3. Process Safety Design & Engineering

• Provide technical leadership for:
  • Relief and flare system design
  • PSV/PVRV sizing and selection
  • Flare header hydraulics and radiation assessment
  • Firewater and fire protection systems
  • Hazardous Area Classification
  • Fire & Gas detection philosophy
  • Emergency Shutdown (ESD) philosophy
  • Safety Instrumented Functions/SIL
  • Depressurization/blowdown systems
  • Toxic/flammable dispersion and consequence modelling
  • Escape, evacuation and emergency response requirements
• Ensure process safety requirements are appropriately reflected in PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specifications, layouts and control philosophies.

4. Safety Studies & Consequence Modelling

• Lead or technically review consequence modelling for fire, explosion, toxic/flammable dispersion, radiation and overpressure.
• Review modelling assumptions, scenarios, input data and results for technical validity.
• Ensure recommendations from consequence studies are incorporated into design.

5. Technical Governance & Assurance

• Establish and maintain engineering standards, checklists, templates and best practices.
• Perform technical reviews, design audits and independent checks of Process Safety deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with applicable company specifications, client standards and recognized codes such as API, NFPA, IEC, ISO, ASME and relevant local regulations.
• Identify potential design risks early and drive resolution before they impact project schedule or cost.

6. Multidisciplinary & Client Interface

• Act as the Process Safety technical focal point for the project.
• Coordinate with Process, Mechanical, Piping, Instrumentation & Controls, Electrical, Civil/Structural, Operations and HSE disciplines.
• Participate in client, vendor and project technical meetings.
• Provide technical clarification and support during design reviews, model reviews and project execution.
• Support resolution of interdisciplinary comments and technical queries.

7. Project Execution & Deliverables

• Plan Process Safety engineering activities, deliverables, resources and priorities.
• Monitor technical progress, quality and deliverable performance.
• Review engineering deliverables including philosophies, calculations, study reports, specifications, datasheets and drawings.
• Ensure timely closure of interdisciplinary and client comments.
• Support project management in identifying technical risks, constraints and opportunities.

8. Leadership, Mentoring & Capability Development

• Mentor Process Safety Engineers and develop technical capability within the team.
• Provide guidance on engineering methodology, design practices and technical decision-making.
• Conduct technical knowledge-sharing sessions and promote lessons learned.
• Identify opportunities for standardization, automation and productivity improvement.
• Build a strong technical culture focused on safety, quality and engineering excellence.

Codes, Standards & Industry Knowledge

Good working knowledge of applicable requirements including:

• API
• NFPA
• IEC 61508 / IEC 61511
• ISO standards
• ASME
• OSHA / applicable regulatory requirements
• Client/company engineering specifications and Process Safety standards

Software & Technical Tools

Experience with relevant Process Safety tools such as:

• PHAST / consequence modelling software
• FLARENET or equivalent flare network tools
• Aspen HYSYS or equivalent process simulation tools
• PSV/relief sizing software
• Hydraulic calculation tools
• AutoCAD / MicroStation or equivalent
• Risk assessment and safety study tools

Work Experience

Required Qualifications & Background

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Process Safety Engineering or equivalent.
• Typically 15+ years of relevant experience in Process Engineering/Process Safety Engineering, preferably within Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Refining, Chemicals or related industries.
• Strong experience in Process Safety Design and technical leadership of engineering projects.
• Proven experience in leading HAZOP, HAZID, LOPA, SIL and risk assessment activities.
• Strong knowledge of relief systems, flare systems, fire protection, hazardous area classification and consequence analysis.
• Good understanding of multidisciplinary engineering interfaces and project execution.
• Experience working with international/client engineering standards and specifications.

Core Competencies

• Strong Process Safety technical knowledge
• Engineering judgement and problem-solving
• Technical leadership and decision-making
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Client and stakeholder management
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Technical review and quality assurance
• Risk-based thinking
• Mentoring and team development
• Ability to balance safety, technical quality, cost and schedule
• Continuous improvement and standardization mindset