Major Hazards & External Threats Interface Lead

RINA•Chicago, IL

6d•$130,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

RINA is recruiting a Major Hazards & External Threats Interface Lead for its Plant Engineering Division, based in Houston, Texas, or Chicago/Lisle, Illinois. The role supports the engineering and development of a major tank farm project in Texas and serves as the project's technical focal point for identifying, assessing, and managing major-accident hazards and external threats that may affect the facility, personnel, neighboring installations, the environment, and project infrastructure. The Lead is responsible for ensuring that hazards originating within and outside the project battery limits are systematically identified and evaluated, then translated into appropriate engineering requirements, safeguards, layout constraints, and interface requirements. The position establishes the hazard-management methodology and design basis, maintains the hazards register, and connects hazard studies with multidisciplinary engineering design. It also involves coordinating specialist studies, supporting design reviews, and liaising with clients, authorities, and other stakeholders on major-hazard and external-threat matters. The role is based in Houston or Chicago/Lisle and may require regional travel of up to 25% for site visits and client meetings. Compensation is $130,000–$180,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or general Engineering.
Substantial experience in major-hazard industrial facilities, preferably tank farms, terminals, refineries, petrochemical, or chemical installations.
Demonstrated knowledge of the US and Texas regulatory environment applicable to process safety and major hazards.
At least 8 years of professional experience in major risk assessment, fire prevention, and safety management, preferably in consulting or industrial settings.
In-depth knowledge of Seveso law regulations and expertise navigating bureaucratic requirements related to plant safety.
Proficiency in designing and implementing fire-fighting systems, conducting bureaucratic checks, and ensuring compliance with fire-safety regulations.
Strong understanding of occupational health and safety principles, regulations, and best practices.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and deliver results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Ability to travel regionally up to 25% for site visits and client meetings.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Experience in tank farms, terminals, refineries, petrochemical, or chemical installations.
Experience in consulting or industrial settings.

Responsibilities

Act as the project's technical focal point for Major Hazards and External Threats.
Establish the project methodology and design basis for identifying, screening, assessing, and managing major hazards and external threats.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive Major Hazards and External Threats Register throughout the project lifecycle.
Establish interfaces between hazard studies and multidisciplinary engineering design.
Coordinate identification of credible internal and external accidental scenarios.
Ensure hazard-study assumptions, recommendations, and risk-reduction measures are incorporated into the project design.
Identify safety-critical interfaces with neighboring facilities, infrastructure, third parties, and external stakeholders.
Liaise with Process, Layout, Civil/Structural, Piping, Electrical, Instrumentation, Fire Protection, Security, Environmental, and Operations disciplines.
Provide technical input to project design reviews and support resolution of safety-related interface issues.
Coordinate specialist consultants conducting consequence modelling, QRA, explosion analysis, and other major-hazard studies, where applicable.
Support client and project interfaces with competent authorities and other relevant stakeholders on major hazards and external threats.