Position Title
Process Safety Management Engineer
Location
Geismar, Louisiana
Role Purpose
The Process Safety Management Engineer is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Process Safety Management (PSM) systems at the Geismar facility. This role ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119, EPA Risk Management Program (40 CFR Part 68), and company standards while driving risk reduction, operational integrity, and a strong process safety culture across ammonia, fertilizer, and associated chemical operations.

Key Responsibilities
PSM Program Ownership and Compliance

• Serve as site subject matter expert for OSHA PSM and EPA RMP requirements
• Maintain and improve PSM element compliance including
  • Process Safety Information (PSI)
  • Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
  • Operating Procedures
  • Mechanical Integrity
  • Management of Change (MOC)
  • Incident Investigation
  • Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR)
  • Contractor Safety
• Coordinate internal and external PSM audits and lead corrective action closure
• Ensure regulatory readiness for OSHA, EPA, and Louisiana DEQ inspections

Process Hazard Analysis and Risk Management

• Lead and facilitate PHAs using methodologies such as HAZOP, What-If, FMEA, and LOPA
• Track PHA recommendations, ensure timely resolution, and verify effectiveness
• Support revalidations and ensure participation from operations, maintenance, and engineering
• Maintain facility risk registers and support risk ranking and prioritization

Management of Change

• Administer the site MOC process for changes involving equipment, procedures, technology, chemicals, and personnel
• Verify hazard reviews, training, documentation updates, and PSSR completion prior to startup
• Serve as approver or reviewer for high-risk and covered changes

Mechanical Integrity and Asset Safety

• Partner with maintenance, reliability, and inspection teams to ensure critical equipment integrity
• Define critical equipment lists and safety critical elements
• Review inspection results, failure data, and integrity findings for risk trends
• Support corrosion management and fitness-for-service evaluations

Incident Investigation and Learning

• Lead or participate in incident investigations including near misses, releases, and process safety events
• Apply root cause analysis methodologies such as TapRooT or equivalent
• Ensure corrective actions address systemic and human factors contributors
• Share lessons learned across the site and with corporate stakeholders

Training and Culture

• Support development and delivery of PSM-related training for operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel
• Promote strong process safety culture through engagement, coaching, and visible leadership
• Participate in site safety meetings, PSM committees, and hazard reviews

Risk Management Plan and Emergency Coordination

• Maintain and update the EPA Risk Management Plan (RMP)
• Support off-site consequence analyses and emergency response coordination
• Interface with local emergency responders and community stakeholders as required

Required Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline

Experience

• Minimum 7 years experience in PSM and process safety within chemical, petrochemical, or fertilizer manufacturing
• Experience in ammonia or nitrogen-based processes strongly preferred
• Direct involvement in OSHA PSM programs and regulatory inspections

Technical Knowledge

• OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, and recognized industry standards such as API, ASME, NFPA, CCPS
• PHA facilitation and risk analysis techniques
• Process design, operating envelopes, and safeguards
• Mechanical integrity principles and inspection practices

Skills and Competencies

• Strong facilitation and cross-functional leadership skills
• Ability to influence without direct authority
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• High attention to detail with strong organizational skills
• Proficient in PSM software systems and data tracking tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Process Safety Professional (CCPSC) or equivalent
• Experience with corporate PSM management systems in a multi-site environment

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.