Principal Chemcial Engineer II-Process Safety Job

About the role

Responsible for managing the site Process Safety Management (PSM) Program. Key responsibilities include planning and completing Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) for the facility, driving closure of site PHA action items, and executing projects to close gaps identified during the PHA process. The role also focuses on improving site process safety management systems and ensuring compliance with AIMS HESQ policies & practices (ISO 9001, 14001, 18001 & RCMS), legal and regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, TCEQ regulations and permits), quality systems, and safe work permit practices. Accountable for tracking and reporting site process safety metrics and facilitating a healthy audit program at the Clear Lake site.

Responsibilities

• Process Hazard Analysis (PHA): Fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the PHA Leader for all site PHAs on existing facilities. Assure schedule compliance for all site PHAs and timely closure of recommendations.
• Management of Change (MOC): Own the local Management of Change system. Ensure the site procedure and process complies with corporate directives, policies, and guidelines. Audit site MOCs to verify compliance and ensure timely closure of MOCs and MOC Action Items. Manage a team of about 10 auditors (50 audits per year) and address patterns.
• Safety Critical Safeguards (SCS): Own the site's Safety Critical Safeguards list. Develop an evergreen system to maintain its accuracy and ensure safeguards meet the required testing or review frequency to achieve the Risk Reduction Level required by the PHA. Collaborate with the Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CFME) and local resources such as maintenance and operations.
• Process Safety Information: Ensure Clear Lake Process Safety Information (e.g., P&IDs, PRDs, Procedures, SCS List, PHAs, MOC) is up to date and complies with corporate, state, and federal guidelines.
• Alarm Management: Ensure Clear Lake maintains an evergreen alarm management program and participate in team efforts to keep it productive and relevant.
• Risk Management Plan (RMP): Monitor 40 CFR 68 for changes that could trigger RMP applicability for Clear Lake. Track local changes or improvement projects that may impact RMP applicability. Maintain information required to demonstrate compliance or exemption.
• AIMS Compliance: Ensure Clear Lake complies with AIMS requirements related to process safety. Participate in annual internal audits/assessments and third-party audits. Address identified gaps in a timely manner.
• PSE Reduction Team: Lead the Clear Lake Process Safety Event (PSE) reduction team. Develop annual goals and drive continual improvement to achieve them.
• PSE Investigations: Lead or participate in investigations meeting local or corporate trigger criteria. Ensure action items are S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based), address root causes, and are closed on time. Drive timely closure of Impact Actions.
• Process Safety Culture: Foster a strong process safety culture within the site, emphasizing compliance, reporting (including near-misses), proactive approaches, and positive recognition.
• OSHA PSM Compliance: Lead OSHA PSM compliance, including the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
• Process Safety Resources: Manage process safety resources, including recurring and spot contractors (e.g., for process safety calculations like Pressure Relief Devices, SIL calculations, Facility Safety Sitting studies, Natural Hazard Assessments, Dust Hazard Assessments). Total recurring hours equivalent to 2-3 full-time contractors on average.
• Matrix Management: Serve as a matrix manager for process engineers on all process safety topics.
• Audits: Audit all site processes related to process safety (e.g., car seal, pressure relief devices testing, SCS testing, fire equipment, start-up permits, PSSR).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Process Engineering required.
• Minimum of 7 years of overall experience, preferably within a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Requires frequent onsite visits to conduct inspections and work within industrial chemical manufacturing sites.
• Ability to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required during onsite and in-field activities in facility processing areas.