Laurel Plant - Process Safety Engineer

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Process Safety Engineer will serve as the site focal point for OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) and EPA Risk Management Program (RMP) systems, supporting the site’s continued development of a strong process safety culture, risk awareness, and operational discipline. This associate will act as the site’s technical leader for process safety risk identification, assessment, prioritization, and the execution of risk-reduction strategies.

This role will coordinate and support the implementation of process safety programs across the site by partnering closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, environmental, and corporate subject matter experts responsible for individual PSM/RMP elements.

The successful candidate will lead Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), facilitate risk-based discussions, support process safety governance systems, and help ensure the site not only maintains compliance with OSHA PSM and EPA RMP requirements, but also develops a deeper operational understanding of the intent behind those regulations.

This associate will act as a liaison between site teams and corporate or 3rd-party process safety resources to promote the consistent application of best practices, risk-reduction strategies, operational learning, and continuous improvement across the facility.

Individual PSM/RMP elements remain the responsibility of the appropriate functional departments (Operations, Maintenance, Process Improvement, Engineering, Environmental, Health & Safety, etc.). At the same time, this role provides coordination, facilitation, technical support, governance, and process safety leadership across those systems.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support site implementation and continuous improvement of all applicable OSHA PSM and EPA RMP elements through coordination with element owners, site leadership, and corporate process safety subject matter experts.
• Lead and facilitate Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), revalidations, and Layer of Protection Analyses (LOPA) utilizing methodologies such as HAZOP, What-If, Checklist, and hybrid approaches as appropriate. Serve as a process safety resource when evaluating chemical and process hazards associated with new products, technologies, and process changes, supporting the identification and implementation of appropriate engineering and administrative controls, with emphasis on facility siting, hazard mitigation, and safe integration into existing manufacturing operations.
• Coordinate with site and corporate subject matter experts responsible for Process Safety Information (PSI), Mechanical Integrity (MI), Operating Procedures, Management of Change (MOC), Training, Incident Investigation, Emergency Response, and other PSM/RMP elements to support effective program implementation. Engage and liaise with 3rd parties/consultants as required.
• Support integration of process safety principles into plant operations, maintenance, capital projects, process development, and organizational decision-making.
• Help develop organizational understanding of the purpose and intent behind OSHA PSM and EPA RMP requirements, with emphasis on hazard recognition, safeguard reliability, operational discipline, and catastrophic risk reduction.
• Partner with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to identify opportunities for risk reduction through engineering controls, procedural improvements, safeguard improvements, and operational learning.
• Participate in process safety incident investigations and corrective action development, with a focus on systemic learning and long-term risk reduction.
• Support internal and external process safety audits, compliance assessments, and action item management activities.
• Drive accountability across functions to ensure timely and effective closure of risk-reduction actions utilizing the company’s corrective action database.
• Support site understanding and application of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) relevant to covered processes and equipment.
• Develop and deliver process safety training materials where appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field of study.
• 3+ years of experience in an operation covered by OSHA’s Process Safety Management and EPA’s Risk Management Program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and expertise in the following areas:
  • OSHA Process Safety Management (29 CFR 1910.119)
  • EPA Risk Management Program (40 CFR Part 68)
  • Process Hazard Analysis methodologies
  • Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
  • Risk assessment and hazard recognition
  • Management of Change systems
  • Mechanical Integrity program fundamentals
  • Process Safety Information systems
  • Incident investigation methodologies
  • RAGAGEP concepts and application
  • Cross-functional process safety governance
  • Strong analytical, interpersonal, and other leadership skills
  • Highly developed written and oral communication skills
  • High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, PHA-pro or similar tool

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Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact TalentAcquisition@milliken.com.