Process Safety Senior Engineer

Novetus Engineering • Houston, TX

4d

About The Position

Novetus Engineering LLC is seeking an experienced Process Safety Senior Engineer to join its team in Houston, Texas. The role provides technical leadership and expertise in process safety management, fire protection engineering, and operational risk management. The successful candidate will help ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operations and support continuous improvement across process safety systems and programs.

The position partners with operations, engineering, and project teams to identify, evaluate, and mitigate process safety risks. It leads process safety studies and provides technical assurance for operational risk processes, project readiness, commissioning, and start-up activities. The role also develops fire protection engineering solutions, prepares and reviews engineering documentation, monitors process safety performance, and promotes a proactive process safety culture.

Novetus is a privately held engineering company based in Houston, Texas, focused on the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. It provides engineering workflow automation expertise and engineering and project management teams for projects ranging from piping modifications and pump upgrades to large international developments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 7–15 years of relevant process safety experience, preferably within the oil and gas, petrochemical, refining, chemical manufacturing, or energy sectors.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and managing Process Safety Management (PSM) programs.
• Experience with fire protection engineering principles, systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards, regulations, and best practices related to process safety and risk management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret and review technical engineering documentation.
• Strong leadership, influence, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills, with sound engineering judgment.
• Collaborative approach, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and safety performance.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TWIC card.
• Experience leading cross-functional risk assessments and safety studies.
• Familiarity with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, NFPA, API, and other industry standards.
• Experience supporting major capital projects, commissioning, and start-up activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for Process Safety Management elements, including Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR), building siting studies, and process design and risk assessments.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and project teams to identify, evaluate, and mitigate process safety risks.
• Develop fire protection engineering solutions, including system designs, engineering calculations and specifications, fire detection and suppression system evaluations, technical drawings, and project documentation.
• Prepare and review engineering deliverables, including P&IDs, fire and gas detection layouts, equipment location plans, fire exposure assessments, and related process safety documentation.
• Lead and facilitate PHA and LOPA studies, ensuring timely closure and effectiveness of resulting action items.
• Monitor process safety performance metrics, analyze trends, and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance for fire protection engineering and risk management initiatives.
• Participate in Pre-Start-Up and Operational Readiness Reviews for new installations, capital projects, and major equipment commissioning activities.
• Support contractor commissioning and start-up teams while coordinating with operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel.
• Provide technical assurance over Permit to Work Systems, SIMOPS Planning, Process Safety Event Reporting, Safety Critical Element Management, Inhibits and Bypass Management, Operating Procedure Development and Revision, Railcar/Tank Car Sealing Programs, and Start-Up and Shutdown Procedures.
• Promote and strengthen a proactive process safety culture throughout the organization.
• Mentor, coach, and develop junior engineering talent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior