Process Safety Engineer (Maternity Cover)

The role: We are looking to appoint an additional Process Safety Engineer, on a 12-month fixed-term contract to provide maternity cover from August 2026 to August 2027.

This role will provide process safety and risk management support to our Functional/Line Managers, through the application of risk management tools, provision of process safety and occupational safety advice, incident investigation, and assistance in the development and maintenance of MACR/ COMAH Safety Reports.

This role involves assisting in developing, implementing, or participating in hazard assessment processes and workshops, to improve the organisations compliance to COMAH/MACR, legislation, and relevant good practice.

Th success postholder will provide process safety support to site leads and the senior management team, to deliver site projects and initiatives, support the implementation of the organisations’ Safety Management System, and audit the sites and systems.

As a Safety Process Engineer, you’ll need to have the ability to build and maintain strong,  positive, and creditable working relationships with all stakeholders both internal and external, including particular emphasis with our OMC’s, (Operations Maintenance Coordinators), Fuel Depot Managers, and Operations & Engineering functions, in addition to Defence partners, such as DIO (Defence Infrastructure Organisation).

The ability to liaise with people of differing levels both externally and internally ranging from the Competent Authority (HSE/EA/SEPA), OPA Management, and Leadership Teams, to wider Defence and site operatives is essential.

Due to the assets being managed covering sites across, England, Scotland, and potentially overseas, it necessitates a significant amount of travel and need to spend nights away from home in order to carry out the duties required. Therefore, a full (preferably clean) driving licence is essential for the successful candidate. There will also be occasional overseas travel when required.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development and maintenance of COMAH/MACR Safety Reports for all relevant OPA controlled sites/assets.
• Ensure risk mitigation, safety and effectiveness of design and operations through legislative compliance; identification and management of risk factors and the principles of ALARP for COMAH/MACR sites by facilitating and/or participating in assessments such as;
  • HAZOPs/Design Reviews/HAZIDs
  • Human factor (HRA) assessments
  • Hazardous Area Classification assessments/DSEAR Assessments
  • Hazard & Effect Registers (HERS) / Bowties
  • Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRAs) / Credible Fire Scenario assessments.
  • SIL / LOPA assessments
• Conduct HSSE and Quality assurance inspections and audits of COMAH sites; ensuring compliance with Agency standards and requirements.
• Conduct incident investigation as may be required.
• Support major projects and engineering projects through risk management, permitting, reporting, research, etc.
• Participate in industry forums to promote learning and the sharing of industry good practice.
• Promotion of the delivery of key health, safety, environment and quality targets and success factors for OPA core business functions, and propose new, more cost-effective ways of meeting HSSE and Quality requirements.
• Design, facilitate/conduct training for line management, and OPA staff as might be appropriate.
• Monitor the timely close-out of corrective actions and produce regular reports.
• Provide regular reports on HSSE performance data from sources such as the OPA database to internal and external stakeholders to facilitate learning and continual improvement.
• Conduct HSSEQ tender evaluations for contract awards.

Full details of the responsibilities can be found in the job description for this role, which is available to download at the bottom of this page.

The candidate: We are looking for an Engineering graduate, with at least 5 years’ experience in a senior health and safety management role, in a high-risk industry. The candidate will have  extensive experience in all aspects of process safety management, and understanding of the regulatory aspects of MAHs as these relate to tank storage operations and COMAH regulatory requirements. Preferably holding suitable NEBOSH qualifications.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge and experience in the application of risk management techniques, such as HAZOPs, HAZIDs, HAC, LOPA/SIL, and Design Reviews, preferably within a high hazard industry
• Understanding and application of the requirements of PSLG
• Knowledge in the application of the principles of ALARP within the MAH industry
• Skill in technical report analysis and writing
• Ideally, vocational qualifications within core or related professional competences such as, Environmental/Safety Management Systems, Risk Management, and Process Safety competencies.
• Knowledge of International Standards, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 is desirable.
• Experience of Auditing
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Full, preferably clean, driving licence.

Stage 1 Interviews:           15 July 2026  (By Teams

Stage 2 Interviews:           21 July 2026  (Face to face, Location TBC)