Principal Technical Safety Engineer

John Wood Group

  • Aberdeen Aberdeenshire
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
Job Category: EngineeringJob Description:Remarkable people, trusted by clients to design and advance the worldWood is currently looking for a Principal Technical Safety Engineer to join our System Integration (SI) team within our Digital Consulting business supporting across our UK projects.This role is available on a hybrid basis with Tuesday's and Wednesday to be in one of the following hub office locations: Aberdeen, Glasgow or Staines.Applicants must be able to pass HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check.The RoleA Principal Technical Safety Engineer will lead & oversee technical safety deliverables, mentor & guide junior safety engineers and ensure high technical safety standards. They conduct detailed risk assessments, to identify and reduce potential hazards. They work closely with designs teams to ensure that safety regulations and industry standards are followed from the very beginning of a project.This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer who enjoys working for high profile clients and is looking for an opportunity to utilise their experience in making a positive impact on the technical safety performance across a variety of critical projects within the Energy sector.Our Clients and ProjectsDesigning the future. Transforming the world.Our Systems Integration (SI) team, work with a variety of high-profile clients across the energy sector. Delivering bespoke essential automation and control systems solutions that enable a safer and more efficient operation.Within SI, we are architecting our clients' digital ecosystems to be inherently safe, cybersecure and operable. Within our teams we integrate client source systems across their IT, Operational Technology (OT) environments, securely pushing OT data into IT systems as a foundation for transformation.We design and integrate operational technology to achieve business, production, and operational goals.Visit our web page to find out more about the exciting work we do:What we can offer
  • Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to high profile clients across the Energy Sector
  • Flexible working arrangements that balance client, team and individual needs offering hybrid and remote working where relevant
  • Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business
  • Competitive renumeration package with regular reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market
  • Flexible benefits package inclusive of 33 days annual leave (including public holidays), plus the potential for one additional 'flex day' per month. Further benefits include a generous contributory pension scheme, private medical cover, 4x base salary life insurance; all of these and more that can be adapted to suit your own lifestyle
  • Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests
  • Global connections: join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession
  • Energy Transition Academy; join a community of experts sharing your knowledge and gaining more exposure to a variety of existing and emerging energy systems - delivered by experts in their field
Responsibilities:The Key Objectives of this role are:
  • Serve as the technical lead and primary contact for all safety engineering activities, overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring high standards of delivery on complex projects
  • Coaches junior & mid-level safety engineers to ensure safety is embedded across disciplines
  • Lead and validate site location and layout safety studies, ensuring risk levels are reduced to ALARP in accordance with regulatory and client expectations
  • Review, approve, and guide the development of Fire Risk Assessments (FRA), Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRA), and fire detection/protection strategies
  • Conduct and review advanced consequence analysis (e.g., gas dispersion, thermal radiation, explosion modelling), ensuring accurate, scenario-based evaluation
  • Perform gap analyses and compliance reviews on technical documents to ensure alignment with international safety standards, client specifications, and applicable legislation
  • Arrange and participate in workshops such as FMEA, EHAZID, FTA, HAZID, HAZOP, HAZCON, Bow Tie Analysis, LOPA, etc
  • Create or review key technical safety documents including:
  • Process Safety Plans: a roadmap of all safety related activities
  • Fire Protection Reports
  • Building Risk Assessments
  • Hazardous Area Calculations (IGEM SR/25)
  • Study Terms of Reference and Reports
  • Provide technical mentorship and support to junior engineers and cross-discipline teams, including reviews of specifications, design calculations, and safety study methodologies
  • Ensure robust compliance with key legislation and industry regulations such as HASAWA, DSEAR, and applicable corporate governance protocols
  • Demonstrate advanced proficiency in tools such as PHAST and SINTEF, supporting high-fidelity risk modelling and decision-making
  • Track and optimise manhour utilisation for safety engineering activities, ensuring efficient resource management and budget compliance
  • Produce high-quality technical reports and progress updates for internal stakeholders and external clients
  • Collaborate with project management to develop realistic and safety-integrated project schedules
  • Monitor and report on key safety KPIs, including cost-efficiency, schedule adherence, and risk reduction metrics
  • Serve as the key client interface, ensuring satisfaction, technical excellence, and alignment with project safety requirements
Qualifications:What Makes you Remarkable?At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world's most critical challenges.Expected:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (preferably Chemical or Process Engineering) or an equivalent qualification, with demonstrable, in-depth technical safety experience
  • Extensive experience in process safety engineering within the oil & gas, hydrocarbon, refinery, offshore, or infrastructure sectors, including both greenfield and brownfield environments
  • Proven ability to lead and manage multiple concurrent safety projects, balancing priorities and deadlines in high-pressure environments
  • Strong background in brownfield upgrades, including the replacement of automation and control systems, with a focus on minimizing operational risk and ensuring compliance
  • Solid understanding of the commercial and contractual aspects of engineering projects, and how they intersect with safety engineering deliverables
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of leading cross-functional teams, managing client interfaces, and influencing stakeholders with diplomacy and clarity
  • Detail-oriented, analytical thinker with a high level of initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in safety practices
Desirable:
  • Chartered Engineer and member of appropriate engineering institution
  • TUV FS Engineer certificate or equivalent
  • Knowledge of ISO 21789 and the performance of gas turbine safety assessment review
  • Experience in conducting DSEAR assessments
  • Gas turbine specialisation and deep understanding of compressor operation and maintenance aspects
  • Experience in using AGI Safe for FRA/ QRA
About Us:Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, helping to unlock solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in 60 countries, employing around 35,000 people.Diversity StatementWe are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

John Wood Group