Process Safety Engineer - HAZOP/LOPA Facilitator

Location: Fort Saskatchewan
Employment Type: Contract (2 years)
Work Schedule: 4 days a week (Monday to Thursday) 
Department: Process Safety
Local Candidate (Edmonton Area)

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Process Safety Engineer - HAZOP Facilitator with deep expertise in the refining and chemical processing industries. This role is responsible for leading Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) workshops to identify, assess, and mitigate process safety risks in complex, high-hazard operations. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical knowledge, facilitation experience, and a collaborative mindset to support safe and reliable plant operations.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead HAZOP studies and other PHA methodologies (e.g., What-If, HAZID, Bowtie) for refining and chemical processing units.
• Facilitate LOPA and SIL studies as part of the broader risk management framework.
• Identify Tolerability and/or ALARP gaps that could result in LOPCs and/or major process safety incident.
• Apply Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM) to evaluate potential consequences from the release of a Hazard.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams to ensure comprehensive risk identification and mitigation.
• Document workshop findings, recommendations, and action items in detailed, high-quality reports.
• Present risk assessment outcomes and ALARP justifications to technical and leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g. API RPs 754, 750, 520/521, 752/753,
  IEC 61882, AMSE Section VIII) and process safety regulatory requirements.
• Interpret and validate P&IDs, cause and effect diagrams, and process flow diagrams.
• Plant visits to conduct barrier assurance field walks
• Identify Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Critical Equipment (HSSE CE) and critical activities (HSSE CA) as part of the Hazard and Effects Management Process (HEMP).
• Ensure barrier effectiveness in the field by engaging appropriate Discipline Barrier Owners and process performers
• Update Process Safety Documentations such as Relief Valve Sizing Calculations, overpressure scenario updates and data sheets.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of process safety practices and knowledge sharing across teams.

 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering (or related field).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in process safety or process engineering or other related engineering disciplines within refining or petro-chemical manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience facilitating HAZOP and other PHA studies in brownfield plants
• Knowledge of flare systems, pressure relief sizing, and safeguarding design principles.
• Familiarity with Rotating Equipment (Pumps, Compressor, Fans) safeguarding, Pump Seal Systems etc.
• Proficiency in PHA software tools (e.g., PHA-Pro, PHAWorks).
• Functional Safety certification (e.g., TÜV FS Eng) is an asset.

 

Preferred Skills

• Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with LOPA, SIL verification, and barrier management.
• Knowledge of applicable standards such as API 520/521, API 537, and OSHA PSM.
• Understanding of Human Factors, Operability, and Maintainability principles.
• Ability to lead workshops both on-site and remotely.
• Local Candidates (Edmonton Area) Preferred

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.