Senior System Safety Engineer

Overview

At PNNL,our core capabilities are dividedamongmajor departments that werefer to as Directorates within the Lab,focused on a specific area of scientific research orother function, with its own leadership teamand dedicated budget.

Ourdirectorates related to Mission Support & Operationsinclude Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement,Operational Systems,Communication sand Information Technology,and Performance

Management.

The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL’s 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio—the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory’s history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.

A team ofnearly 800staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL’s assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently.

The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.

The mission of the Environment, Health, Safety and Security (EHS&S) D Division is to minimize risks, assure compliance with regulatory standards, and promote a culture of safety, health, and environmental stewardship.

EHS&S focuses on reducing environmental impact, promoting employee health, preventing workplace incidents, and safeguarding physical and information security. Core functions include risk assessment, safety training, environmental stewardship, health monitoring, emergency preparedness, and implementing security measures. EHS&S fosters a culture of safety, maintainability, and continuous improvement, ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term organizational resilience.

The Worker Safety and Health Program is seeking an experienced professional to join its Safety Engineering team as a System Safety Engineer. This is a full-time, onsite position supporting a dynamic research and engineering environment with systems that have the potential for significant safety and mission impacts to staff and facilities.

The System Safety Engineer will provide technical leadership in identifying, evaluating, and collaborating on complex and high-hazard operations across research, laboratory, facility, and project activities. The successful candidate will work closely with engineers, scientists, operations personnel, project teams, and safety professionals to identify and analyze hazards in complex systems to ensure safety and regulatory compliance throughout the entire project lifecycle. The position provides solutions, advice, and recommendations to PNNL research and facilities staff.

Key areas of focus include:

• Conduct hazards analysis of complex research systems involving multiple hazards that are novel, unique, or uncommon.
• Adapt hazard analysis methodologies based on Center for Chemical Process Safety methods such as What-if, HAZOP, and FMEA, to the research environment to analyze potential causes and consequences of events such as fires; explosions; uncontrolled releases of toxic, radioactive, or flammable chemicals; and major spills of hazardous materials.
• Participate in the Process Safety Board to identify PNNL projects requiring a process safety approach in support of their safe, compliant, and efficient performance and operation.
• Provide direct technical assistance in identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace and research hazards.
• Produce thorough, high-quality reviews, assessments, analysis, and hazard assessments.
• Provide implementation methods for requirements.
• Interface effectively with staff and management at all levels, as well as external stakeholders including DOE-PNSO.
• Champion a strong safety culture through active participation, mentorship, and…