Relief Valve Technical Authority

Relief Valve Technical Authority

The Relief Valve Technical Authority is the recognized enterprise steward for relief system integrity and pressure protection performance across INEOS O&P USA. Reporting to the Process Safety Manager & Technical Authority, this role owns the central relief device strategy, governs technical standards, maintains the enterprise relief valve database, and leads enterprise assurance of relief system health and program effectiveness across more than 4,000 pressure relief devices.

Pressure protection programs stewarded by this role directly support process safety, regulatory compliance, and the company's license to operate.

Within the discipline of pressure relief, the Relief Valve Technical Authority defines enterprise expectations for relief device design, sizing, inspection, testing, repair, and data management. Site-based RV engineers and process safety personnel operate within the relief system framework established by this role and rely on it for technical leadership, calibration, and program assurance. While the position has no direct line authority over site personnel, its functional leadership and structured technical guidance establish how relief system decisions are made across all O&P USA sites.

The role spans three major manufacturing sites and the O&P USA pipeline business, providing functional leadership across all site-based RV engineers and shaping the relief valve portion of $175MM+ in annual maintenance and inspection spend. Through stewardship of the enterprise relief valve database, vendor and shop oversight, and program assurance, the role drives both reliability outcomes and pressure protection compliance across the enterprise.

The Relief Valve Technical Authority sits at the intersection of equipment integrity and process safety, working closely with site RV engineers, the Equipment Integrity team, the Chief Inspector, maintenance organizations, and internal and external RV repair shops. The role is recognized as a technical authority on relief systems within INEOS and is expected to actively participate in relevant industry forums and technical committees, ensuring that O&P remains aligned with emerging codes, testing technologies, and best practices in pressure relief engineering.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 15 years of experience in pressure relief systems engineering, mechanical integrity, or related technical disciplines in refining, petrochemical, or large-scale process industries.
• Strong familiarity with API 520, 521, and 576; additional certifications or training in pressure relief engineering preferred.
• Experience with Salus or similar relief device management systems, with proven track record driving data quality.
• Familiarity with PCMS or other enterprise mechanical integrity platforms is a plus.
• Demonstrated credibility and technical judgment in high-consequence mechanical integrity and process safety decisions.
• Active participation in external industry forums (e.g., API committees) preferred.

• Recognized company authority on pressure relief systems, with deep expertise in relief device design, sizing, and selection for diverse process applications
• Extensive knowledge of pressure relief codes and standards, including API 520, 521, 576, ASME Section VIII and Section XIII, and applicable RAGAGEP
• Strong knowledge of relief device types, operating principles, failure modes, and testing methodologies
• Experienced in relief valve program management, including inventory management, test scheduling, and compliance tracking
• Strong understanding of the interface between relief systems and process safety requirements, including PHA/LOPA, SIL verification, and over pressure scenario analysis
• Skilled in interpreting test data, failure analysis results, and inspection findings to inform relief system strategy
• Knowledge of disposal system design (flares, vents, containment) and its interaction with relief device performance
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA  (PSM) as it relates to relief system management and Mechanical Integrity programs
• Actively engages with external industry networks and applies new technologies or practices to improve relief system performance and reduce risk

• Strong communicator, able to provide clear, defensible technical recommendations to engineers, process safety teams, and leadership
• Builds credibility through technical depth, data rigor, and consistency in decision-making
• Builds strong, trust-based relationships with site engineers, process safety teams, and shop personnel
• Persistent and detail-oriented in maintaining data quality and tracking relief system program performance
• Steers sites toward standard relief system practices through coaching and influence, while recognizing local constraints only where truly necessary
• Prioritizes and organizes complex workloads with competing stakeholder demands
• Collaborates…