Job Title: Safety and Compliance Instrumentation Engineer
Job Summary:
The Safety and Compliance Instrumentation Engineer Manager is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of safety and compliance instrumentation within manufacturing and industrial environments. This includes overseeing the design, implementation, optimization, and ongoing maintenance of critical safety and compliance systems, such as sensors, emergency shutdown systems, pressure relief systems, and alarms. The Manager will ensure that all systems meet stringent safety regulations, industry standards, and company safety objectives while leading a team of engineers to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operations across all facilities.
Key Responsibilities:
Team Leadership and Management:
- Lead a team of safety and compliance instrumentation engineers, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development.
- Set clear goals, monitor team progress, and conduct performance reviews to ensure team productivity and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement within the safety instrumentation function.
System Design, Implementation, and Optimization:
- Oversee the design, development, installation, and optimization of safety and compliance instrumentation systems, including pressure, temperature, flow sensors, emergency shutdown systems, and alarms.
- Ensure all systems meet regulatory compliance requirements and operational standards for safety-critical applications.
- Lead system integration projects to enhance operational safety, ensuring that instrumentation systems integrate seamlessly with other control systems.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Assurance:
- Ensure that all safety and compliance instrumentation systems comply with relevant regulations and industry standards (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO, IEC).
- Lead audits, inspections, and safety reviews to ensure instrumentation systems meet required safety standards and are in compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.
- Oversee the preparation and maintenance of documentation for regulatory audits, including calibration records, safety protocols, and compliance logs.
Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement:
- Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for safety instrumentation systems, ensuring continuous monitoring of performance, system reliability, and compliance.
- Analyze system performance data, including sensor outputs, alarm triggers, and downtime, to identify areas for improvement.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the safety instrumentation systems, implementing enhancements to reduce failure rates, optimize performance, and improve overall system reliability.
Project Management:
- Lead complex safety instrumentation projects from concept through to completion, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and in line with technical requirements.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, IT, and operations, to ensure the smooth implementation and operation of safety instrumentation systems.
- Manage project resources, schedules, and budgets, ensuring all project milestones are met and that systems are integrated successfully into operational environments.
Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution:
- Provide leadership in troubleshooting and resolving complex issues with safety instrumentation systems, ensuring systems function as designed and minimize any risk to operations.
- Guide the team in performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions for recurring issues.
- Ensure that all safety systems remain operational under both normal and emergency conditions, and ensure quick restoration of services during incidents.
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:
- Work closely with operations, engineering, quality assurance, and other departments to ensure alignment on safety and compliance objectives.
- Provide technical guidance to other departments on the implementation and use of safety systems, ensuring their integration into day-to-day operations.
- Facilitate communication between senior management, safety teams, and external partners to address safety concerns, project updates, and system improvements.
Budget and Resource Management:
- Manage the budget for safety and compliance instrumentation projects, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for new system installations, upgrades, and regular maintenance activities.
- Oversee the procurement of instrumentation systems, parts, and materials to ensure systems are implemented cost-effectively and meet safety standards.
- Track and control operational and project costs to ensure financial efficiency while maintaining system performance.
Innovation and Technological Leadership:
- Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and new regulations related to safety instrumentation, actively seeking ways to improve operational safety and compliance.
- Evaluate and recommend new technologies or instrumentation systems that could improve safety, reliability, or cost-effectiveness.
- Promote innovation within the team, encouraging the adoption of new technologies such as AI, predictive maintenance, and smart sensors for enhanced safety monitoring.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Advanced knowledge of safety and compliance instrumentation systems, including sensors, safety shutdown systems, control valves, and alarm systems.
- In-depth understanding of industrial safety standards, regulations, and compliance frameworks (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO 9001, IEC).
- Strong background in project management, including budget management, resource allocation, and timeline adherence.
- Experience with system design, integration, and troubleshooting in complex industrial environments.
- Proficiency in data analysis and performance monitoring, with experience using tools such as SCADA, PLC systems, and safety management software.
- Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to guide a team and collaborate with cross-functional teams effectively.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex issues and implement corrective actions in a timely manner.
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Control Systems, or a related technical field.
- Professional certifications in safety systems, instrumentation, regulatory compliance, or project management (e.g., Six Sigma, ISO 9001, OSHA certifications) are highly desirable.
Experience:
- 7+ years of experience in safety and compliance instrumentation, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
- Proven experience in managing large-scale safety instrumentation projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational safety.
- Extensive experience with PLC programming, SCADA systems, safety management systems, and industrial control systems.
- In-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance, auditing, and safety certifications is essential.
Tools and Technologies:
- Proficiency with PLC programming software (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000) and SCADA platforms (e.g., Wonderware, Ignition).
- Expertise in safety systems and instrumentation, including control valves, pressure relief systems, shutdown systems, and safety sensors.
- Familiarity with data analytics tools and performance reporting systems (e.g., Power BI, Excel, Minitab).
- Knowledge of emerging safety instrumentation technologies, such as predictive maintenance, IoT, AI, and advanced monitoring systems.
Other Requirements:
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to manage teams, influence decision-making, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while ensuring adherence to safety standards and regulatory compliance.
- A strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and system performance.
- Willingness to travel to industrial or manufacturing sites for system installations, troubleshooting, and safety audits.