Senior System Safety Engineer

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Worker Safety and Health Program is seeking an experienced professional to join its Safety Engineering team as a System Safety Engineer. This is a full-time, onsite position supporting a dynamic research and engineering environment with systems that have the potential for significant safety and mission impacts to staff and facilities. The System Safety Engineer will provide technical leadership in identifying, evaluating, and collaborating on complex and high-hazard operations across research, laboratory, facility, and project activities. The successful candidate will work closely with engineers, scientists, operations personnel, project teams, and safety professionals to identify and analyze hazards in complex systems to ensure safety and regulatory compliance throughout the entire project lifecycle. The position provides solutions, advice, and recommendations to PNNL research and facilities staff.

Requirements

BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR- PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication.
All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation).
Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
Mandatory Requirements: Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, or a related field; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Experience in a research laboratory, industrial, utility, manufacturing, construction, or other high-hazard environment.
Proven ability to analyze complex (e.g., chemical, nuclear) processing systems using process and instrumentation diagrams, operating procedures, product information, and parts lists.
Process safety board experience.
Experience with hazard and accident analysis processes.
Expertise in conducting qualitative and quantitative hazard analyses, risk assessments, and evaluating activities to mitigate safety hazards.
Knowledge of contractor assurance activities including self-assessments, program assessments, metrics, and in-field performance observations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders and effectively present complex information.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment and foster a culture of open communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

Conduct hazards analysis of complex research systems involving multiple hazards that are novel, unique, or uncommon.
Adapt hazard analysis methodologies based on Center for Chemical Process Safety methods such as What-if, HAZOP, and FMEA, to the research environment to analyze potential causes and consequences of events such as fires; explosions; uncontrolled releases of toxic, radioactive, or flammable chemicals; and major spills of hazardous materials.
Participate in the Process Safety Board to identify PNNL projects requiring a process safety approach in support of their safe, compliant, and efficient performance and operation.
Provide direct technical assistance in identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace and research hazards.
Produce thorough, high-quality reviews, assessments, analysis, and hazard assessments.
Provide implementation methods for requirements.
Interface effectively with staff and management at all levels, as well as external stakeholders including DOE-PNSO.
Champion a strong safety culture through active participation, mentorship, and effective communication.
Enable cutting edge research in a safe and responsible manner.
Implement, audit, and evaluate the effectiveness of the System Safety Program as a subject matter expert.
Maintain systems and procedures to identify, evaluate, and control research hazards, conduct risk assessments, identify appropriate system and process safety directives to be implemented, and recommend mitigation strategies for identified hazards.
Lead and conduct various safety analyses, assessments, and evaluations of system designs, modifications, operations, and procedures to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
Implement all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, DOE Orders, and Standards.
Complete contractor assurance activities to verify programmatic compliance, effectiveness, and overall health.
Partner with management and workers to strengthen the safety culture and promote continuous improvement of the System Safety Program by monitoring performance, analyzing metrics, and implementing corrective actions.
Effectively interface and collaborate with research staff and management at all levels, internal and external customers (including DOE-PNSO line management and EHS&S staff), and regulatory bodies.