Staff Engineer, Operational Risk

Job Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Staff Engineer, Operational Risk reports to the Manager, Operational Risk Engineering and is responsible for advising and executing on the implementation of operational risk mitigation and governance strategies. This role works with operations, engineering and Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) resources to implement and execute operations' risk management processes, and to ensure that operations related incidents, including process safety events, are documented and investigated in a consistent manner across all company assets. This position offers the ability to positively impact multiple operating assets, and works with all levels of the company, from individual contributors to executive management.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The Staff Engineer, Operational Risk will execute on operational risk mitigation and governance strategies and plans, and lead and support the consistent adoption of operations' incident investigation processes across all company assets. Responsibilities include:

• Provide technical guidance as a subject matter expert to advance the development, implementation, and maturation of company's risk management, incident management, management of change (MOC), assurance and process safety programs across company's assets in alignment with business needs, company policies, industry standard(s) and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and execute on activities to enhance and align operations' risk management program across assets, assuring that risks are identified, assessed and managed to a tolerable level by means of practicable, effective and efficient engineering and administrative controls.
• Lead and manage complex technical and multidisciplinary incident investigations, including process safety events and other production related incidents, in accordance with internal requirements, external best practices, and all regulatory requirements.
• Determine, through root cause analysis and in collaboration with cross-functional investigation team and subject matter experts, contributing factors and underlying causes of incidents, and make effective engineering-based and/or administrative recommendations to prevent recurrence of same or similar events.
• Drive the establishment of metrics to measure and evaluate performance against operations' incident investigation processes and utilize the output to facilitate improvement of the incident investigation program.
• Apply engineering knowledge and practices to utilize and analyze incident and investigation data, address underlying and systemic causes of incidents, and to support development of the operations' mechanical reliability program.
• Support the enhancement of operations' MOC processes, including system development and implementation to manage administrative, organizational and technical changes with implications on design and/or operational integrity. Ensure risks are properly identified and managed as part of the process, and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs) are adequate.
• Lead and execute assurance activities to evaluate operations' compliance with company's management system standards and procedures, including those related to incident investigation, MOC and operational risk management. Examine the suitability of related work processes and identify and implement corrective actions to ensure compliance and/or optimize processes.
• Actively share and provide technical guidance on findings and learnings from incident investigations, assurance activities and risk management processes across company assets to control risks.
• Provide technical leadership and support to process safety program activities, including PHA and facility/building siting.
• Support the development, implementation, and maturation of company's integrated management system across corporate functional groups and assets in alignment with short- and long-term strategic initiatives.
• Advise and execute on the development and implementation of operational risk mitigation and governance strategies and plans including associated change management activities.
• Support regulatory agency audits as required.
• Support operations and assets based on leadership priorities and business needs.
• Develop and/or advance company standards, procedures, strategies, guidelines and plans as required to address identified risks, assurance findings or other identified improvement opportunities.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Advanced engineering knowledge and understanding of management of large-scale LNG liquefaction facilities, refining, petrochemical or similar industry, specifically in the application of process safety and risk management in engineering, design and operation of such facilities. Comprehensive knowledge of incident management, incident investigation and assurance processes, including the application industry standards, best practices and related regulations. The Staff Engineer, Operational Risk also has advanced organizational and communication skills, possesses acute critical thinking and has a strong understanding of essential business processes to yield significant benefits across the Company.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Education and Certifications : Engineering bachelor's degree required. Process / Chemical / Mechanical Engineering preferred. Must maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card in good standing status.
• Experience : Ten (10) or more years of related experience, including process safety experience in a complex plant operations environment.
• Skills: Strong leadership and administrative abilities are required. An acute sensitivity to safety issues in a hazardous environment. Effective and outstanding communicator at all levels of an organization and with individuals and groups from different disciplines, industries, and governmental agencies.
  • Proven experience applying engineering and technical solutions to improve operational and process safety.
  • In-depth knowledge in conducting root cause analyses and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
  • Detailed understanding and ability to interpret and apply engineering documentation to support incident investigations.
  • Advanced knowledge of industry standards, best practices and methodologies for incident management and investigation.
  • Advanced knowledge of industry standards, best practices and methodologies for process safety and risk management.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the development, implementation, and execution of assurance programs.
  • Advanced knowledge of plant/manufacturing operations.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills, written and oral.
  • Highly efficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Visio, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint.
  • Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills; well versed in a wide variety of operational and business analytics.
  • Ability to influence without direct authority.
  • Must be able to understand and manage complex issues and effectively communicate such across all levels of the organization and with third parties.
  • Highly flexible and adaptable; able to respond quickly to shifting priorities.
  • Must have the ability to proactively work with minimal guidance.
  • Solid commitment to safety and dedication to the company's core values.
  • Able to work in with a culturally diverse group of business and technical teams.
  • Possess the personality and ability to relate to, and establish, a mutually respectful relationship with management, peers and various facility level workers.
  • Health, safety and environmental knowledge.
  • General knowledge of project management, reporting and control.

DIRECT REPORTS

• None

FREEDOM TO ACT
Ability to multi-task and function in a highly dynamic atmosphere; must exercise discretion independently.
WORK CONDITIONS

• Job is primarily performed in an office environment.
• Occasionally, work may be performed from home, after normal work hours or on weekends.
• Limited travel required, as business conditions dictate.
• Subject to drug and alcohol testing, per applicable federal regulations or as required by Cheniere.

ADA JOB REQUIREMENTS
Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be performed and not hinder the employee's performance due to physical or mental disability.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Cheniere Energy is an equal opportunity workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation if requested for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices.