Senior Process Safety Engineer

• Update hazard studies for existing units in accordance with French regulatory requirements;
• Prepare environmental impact studies and ensure that their conclusions are communicated and integrated into new process projects;
• Carry out HSE risk assessments requested by the Group;
• Analyse process safety risks related to process modifications and new projects;
• Ensure that risk assessments comply with internal company standards and French regulations;
• Act as the main process safety interface with the DREAL for new administrative orders, inspections and regulatory matters;
• Promote a strong process safety culture and reinforce site engagement in process safety;
• Support process technologists and operating teams in process safety matters;
• Share lessons learned and operational feedback with production teams;
• Lead HAZOP and LOPA studies for the units within the assigned scope;
• Ensure that the appropriate risk assessment methodology is applied consistently
• Participate in and validate the classification of Safety Instrumented Functions;
• Participate in investigations of incidents and near misses using recognised methodologies such as BFA, Tripod and Root Cause Analysis;
• Work closely with operating teams when analysing incidents and defining corrective actions;
• Carry out process safety audits;
• Participate in process safety inspections conducted by the DREAL;
• Act as the site contact during regulatory inspections;
• Prepare responses to observations and findings related to Safety Management System audits;
• Contribute to the preparation of fire emergency exercises;
• Participate in internal and external audits within the process safety area, including Operational Excellence and Assurance audits;
• Contribute to the preparation and monitoring of hazardous area classification plans;
• Support Group Leaders in ensuring compliance with operating permits and administrative orders;
• Contribute to the preparation or modification of operating permits in collaboration with the Process Department;
• Maintain strong technical expertise in tools used to estimate the severity and consequences of potential accidents;
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to process safety and risk management;
• Provide technical guidance to production, engineering and project teams on process safety requirements;
• Ensure that process safety considerations are integrated into operational decisions and project development;
• Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders, external authorities and technical experts;
• Contribute to the protection of people, assets and the environment through effective risk prevention and control;
• Depending on the successful candidate’s experience and profile, a dedicated training and development programme may be implemented before the candidate is authorised to validate risk assessments independently.

Education

• Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a comparable technical discipline.

Work experience

• Relevant experience in process safety, process engineering, industrial operations or HSE risk management;
• Experience leading or participating in HAZOP and LOPA studies;
• Experience with incident and near-miss investigation methodologies;
• Experience working with regulatory authorities, preferably the DREAL;
• Knowledge of French process safety regulations and industrial regulatory requirements;
• Experience reviewing process modifications and new projects from a process safety perspective;
• Knowledge of Safety Instrumented Functions and hazardous area classification;
• Experience conducting process safety audits and supporting regulatory inspections;
• Ability to work closely with production, engineering, maintenance and project teams;
• Experience in a demanding industrial or petrochemical environment would be an advantage;
• Operational English is required;
• Depending on the candidate’s background, additional training and support may be provided to obtain the required authorisation to validate risk assessments.

Critical Competencies

• Process safety expertise: Demonstrates a strong understanding of process hazards, risk assessment methodologies and industrial risk prevention;
• Leadership: Leads risk assessments, supports decision-making and promotes a strong safety culture;
• Analytical thinking and synthesis: Understands complex technical situations, identifies critical risks and communicates clear conclusions;
• Risk assessment: Applies structured methodologies such as HAZOP, LOPA and incident investigation tools;
• Regulatory awareness: Understands applicable French regulations and maintains effective relationships with regulatory authorities;
• Resilience: Remains calm, objective and effective when facing pressure or sensitive safety issues;
• Communication skills: Communicates clearly with production teams, technical specialists, management and external authorities;
• Collaboration and teamwork: Works effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders;
• Organisation and rigour: Manages technical documentation, regulatory requirements and action plans with accuracy;
• Ownership and accountability: Takes responsibility for the quality and reliability of process safety assessments;
• Exemplarity: Demonstrates professional integrity and acts as a role model in safety-related matters;
• Adaptability and continuous learning: Challenges existing practices, accepts feedback and develops technical expertise;
• Influencing skills: Builds alignment and encourages operational teams to apply process safety requirements;
• Continuous improvement: Identifies opportunities to strengthen risk prevention and improve site practices;
• Operational judgement: Balances technical, regulatory and operational considerations when assessing risks.