Sr. Advisor, HSSE Commissioning & Startup

NextDecade•Brownsville, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Advisor, HSSE Commissioning & Startup will support a large-scale LNG project in the Rio Grande Valley, providing HSSE leadership throughout pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up phases of the facility. This role is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance and managing high-risk hazards associated with cryogenic systems, hazardous materials, and complex industrial processes. Initially reporting to the Project HSSE Manager, the role will later transition to Operations HSSE and serve as the HSSE representative across construction, commissioning, and operations activities. The Sr. Advisor will act as a key interface between contractors, engineering, construction, vendors, and operations to ensure consistent implementation of CSU and HSSE strategies, procedures, and best practices. The role supports start-up readiness through active participation in testing, hazard elimination, workforce training, and safety compliance. The position requires strong field presence, technical knowledge (electrical and mechanical systems), and the ability to support teams ranging from field specialists to management. The position will be based in Brownsville, TX. Check out our RGV Spotlight Video to learn more about Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley!

Requirements

Bachelorâs degree in engineering, Safety & Health or other related technical/science field, or equivalent work experience.
5+years of safety-related experience in large capital projects within construction, oil & gas, or industrial environments
Comprehensive understanding of pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, and initial operations processes
TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) required for facility access.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential for interfacing with diverse teams and regulatory agencies.
Possess superior verbal, written, interpersonal, public speaking, facilitation, and presentation communication skills when interacting with both internal and external stakeholders.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office. Detail orientated and able to quickly review documentation for accuracy and relevance.

Nice To Haves

8+years of safety-related experience in construction, oil & gas, or industrial environments
5+ years of safety-related experience in LNG or natural gas facilities
HSE-related certifications, such as CSP, ASP, CHST, CHMM, etc.
In depth understanding of the Risk Assessment Processes & PSM Principles
Experience in LNG-specific hazards, cryogenic risks, and emergency response planning.
Understanding of regulatory requirements (FERC, PHMSA, USCG, OSHA, API, ISO 31000, NFPA 59A, and LNG-specific regulations).
Bilingual (English / Spanish).
Prior experience with Bechtel startup processes and procedures.

Responsibilities

Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in the development, implementation, and management of CSU / HSSE Management Plans & Procedures in compliance with Companyâs HSSE Management System, standards, and contract and regulatory requirements.
Lead, Develop, Implement & maintain CSU & HSSE programs and procedures and serve as a technical resource to provide direction on the safe execution of work, following all CSU / HSSE programs / procedures, regulations, and compliance requirements.
Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in CSU / HSSE audits, inspections, and assessments to identify hazards and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) risk assessments and hazard identification in support of E&C, CSU, & Operations.
Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in SIMOPs risk reviews, Permit to Work activities, and Control of Hazardous Energy / Lock out Tag out.
Intermediate or above knowledge level to Develop, Implement, and Management of Process Safety Management (PSM) elements / HSSE programs, processes, and procedures. Interface strategically with Construction, Owner, and the SIMOPS Coordinator for necessary permits, work authorizations, and Lockout/Tagout, ensuring appropriate System Engineer involvement.
Verify field-level execution and documentation of critical safety systems such as: Permit-to-Work (PTW) and LOTO, Confined space entry, Hot work controls, Control of Hazardous Energy / LoTo, Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR), Management of Change (MoC)
Administer and ensure compliance with relevant federal, state, and local regulations including OSHA, USCG, DOT, and the Railroad Commission of Texas, as applicable.
Conduct hazard identification (HAZID), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and "what-if" scenarios to identify risks and develop appropriate mitigation measures.
Review and provide expert input on all facility operating procedures, safety guidelines, and policies, acting as the subject matter expert (SME) for safety protocols.
Provide safety training (e.g., LOTO, confined space, etc.) to personnel and contractors, coaching field teams on best practices and safety culture.
Facilitate and direct incident investigations and root cause analyses to ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented and tracked to completion.
Manage and oversee emergency response programs, including fire brigade and rescue teams, ensuring effective planning, training, and drill execution.
Perform process and performance safety audits and prepare reports on leading and lagging safety indicators for management review and continuous improvement.
Work closely with Contractors, E&C, operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to ensure CSU / HSSE considerations are aligned with all stakeholders.
Will strive for continuous improvement to ensure âZero Accidentsâ over the life of the Project, while supporting safety performance that is inclusive of the Clientâs vision and strategic plans.
Will support the CSU / HSSE corporate function to ensure necessary processes are developed and implemented to support the Construction / CSU phase as well as post-handover Commercial Operations.
Establish commissioning procedures, checklists, and quality standards aligned with project specifications and applicable codes.