Full-Time

Principal Technical Safety Engineer

Posted on 7/28/2025

Wood

Wood

10,001+ employees

Global energy engineering and project services

No salary listed

Staines-upon-Thames, UK + 2 more

More locations: Aberdeen, UK | Glasgow, UK

Hybrid

Hybrid working: Tuesdays and Wednesdays based out of Aberdeen, Glasgow, or Staines; occasional client travel.

Category
Aerospace Engineering (1)
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering (preferably Chemical or Process Engineering) or an equivalent qualification, with demonstrable, in-depth technical safety experience
  • Extensive experience in process safety engineering within the oil & gas, hydrocarbon, refinery, offshore, or infrastructure sectors, including both greenfield and brownfield environments
  • Proven ability to lead and manage multiple concurrent safety projects, balancing priorities and deadlines in high-pressure environments
  • Strong background in brownfield upgrades, including the replacement of automation and control systems, with a focus on minimizing operational risk and ensuring compliance
  • Solid understanding of the commercial and contractual aspects of engineering projects, and how they intersect with safety engineering deliverables
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of leading cross-functional teams, managing client interfaces, and influencing stakeholders with diplomacy and clarity
  • Detail-oriented, analytical thinker with a high level of initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in safety practices
Responsibilities
  • Lead & oversee technical safety deliverables, mentor & guide junior safety engineers and ensure high technical safety standards
  • Conduct detailed risk assessments, to identify and reduce potential hazards
  • Work closely with designs teams to ensure that safety regulations and industry standards are followed from the very beginning of a project
  • Lead and validate site location and layout safety studies, ensuring risk levels are reduced to ALARP in accordance with regulatory and client expectations
  • Review, approve, and guide the development of Fire Risk Assessments (FRA), Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRA), and fire detection/protection strategies
  • Conduct and review advanced consequence analysis (e.g., gas dispersion, thermal radiation, explosion modelling), ensuring accurate, scenario-based evaluation
  • Perform gap analyses and compliance reviews on technical documents to ensure alignment with international safety standards, client specifications, and applicable legislation
  • Arrange and participate in workshops such as FMEA, EHAZID, FTA, HAZID, HAZOP, HAZCON, Bow Tie Analysis, LOPA, etc
  • Create or review key technical safety documents including: Process Safety Plans: a roadmap of all safety related activities, Fire Protection Reports, Building Risk Assessments, Hazardous Area Calculations (IGEM SR/25), Study Terms of Reference and Reports
  • Provide technical mentorship and support to junior engineers and cross-discipline teams, including reviews of specifications, design calculations, and safety study methodologies
  • Ensure robust compliance with key legislation and industry regulations such as HASAWA, DSEAR, and applicable corporate governance protocols
  • Demonstrate advanced proficiency in tools such as PHAST and SINTEF, supporting high-fidelity risk modelling and decision-making
  • Track and optimise manhour utilisation for safety engineering activities, ensuring efficient resource management and budget compliance
  • Produce high-quality technical reports and progress updates for internal stakeholders and external clients
  • Collaborate with project management to develop realistic and safety-integrated project schedules
  • Monitor and report on key safety KPIs, including cost-efficiency, schedule adherence, and risk reduction metrics
  • Serve as the key client interface, ensuring satisfaction, technical excellence, and alignment with project safety requirements
Desired Qualifications
  • Chartered Engineer and member of appropriate engineering institution
  • TUV FS Engineer certificate or equivalent
  • Knowledge of ISO 21789 and the performance of gas turbine safety assessment review
  • Experience in conducting DSEAR assessments
  • Gas turbine specialisation and deep understanding of compressor operation and maintenance aspects
  • Experience in using AGI Safe for FRA/ QRA

Wood delivers engineering, project management, and technical services for energy and materials projects worldwide. It combines engineering know-how with program management and multi-disciplinary teams to plan, design, build, and optimize large projects across oil and gas, renewables, and environmental consulting. Its mix of traditional oilfield services and a broad energy-transition portfolio comes from its growth through organic expansion and the Amec Foster Wheeler merger, enabling integrated solutions across offshore, onshore, and environmental work. Its goal is to support clients through the global energy transition by delivering reliable project delivery at scale and creating sustainable, long-term value.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Founded

1912

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sidara's $291.5M takeover injects $450M cash, extends debt to October 2028.
  • 10-year Rio Grande LNG maintenance deal with NextDecade creates 100+ US jobs.
  • Eclipse Energy partnership commercializes hydrogen from end-of-life oil fields by H1 2026.

What critics are saying

  • Sidara integration triggers cultural clashes, Aberdeen talent exodus in 6-12 months.
  • CEO Gilmartin resigns, Torrens promoted amid Balan scandal, erodes execution.
  • Iraq West Qurna 1 EPC halts from geopolitical tensions, PetroChina penalties in 6 months.

What makes Wood unique

  • Wood delivers full lifecycle mining solutions from concepts to turn-key projects across 60 countries.
  • 1912 Aberdeen-founded firm pivoted to North Sea oil in 1960s under Sir Ian Wood.
  • 2017 £2.2B Amec Foster Wheeler acquisition diversified into renewables and environment.

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Benefits

Medical Insurance

Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance

End of Service Gratuity

Employee Share Plan

Long Service Award

Professional Development Budget

Competitive remuneration package

Hybrid Work Options

Company News

Petropipe FZE
Dec 15th, 2025
Wood Awarded 10-Year Maintenance Agreement for Rio Grande LNG

John Wood Group PLC has secured a major ten-year agreement with NextDecade to provide maintenance services at the Rio Grande LNG facility, a large-scale natural gas liquefaction and export project currently under development near Brownsville, Texas. Under the contract, Wood will deliver a full range of maintenance services to help ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations across the approximately 1,000-acre site. NextDecade anticipates the facility will play a key role in supplying secure and affordable energy through the responsible development and operation of natural gas liquefaction capacity. Wood is already engaged in the execution of mechanical integrity programs for the facility and is providing advisory support on operational readiness. Steve Nicol, Executive President of Operations at Wood, said: "This contract strengthens Wood's presence in the US LNG market and underscores its commitment to supporting the growth of US LNG exports. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience maintaining facilities along the US Gulf Coast, PetropipeFZE will work closely with NextDecade to help deliver safe and dependable LNG production in Texas. "We also share NextDecade's commitment to the Rio Grande Valley communities. As part of this project, we plan to establish a new local office and partner with regional colleges to attract and develop talent through our apprenticeship programs." The contract is expected to create more than 100 new jobs, with an emphasis on local hiring and continued investment in workforce development across the United States.

Sharecast
Dec 1st, 2025
Wood Group appoints Jade Moore as new CFO

Wood group appoints jade Moore as new CFO. Aberdeen-based energy engineering and consultancy firm Wood has announced the appointment of a new chief financial officer, having been without a permanent head of finance for nine months. Jade Moore, a chartered accountant who most recently served as a director at ED&F Man Holdings, is to join the company with immediate effect. She is said to bring significant experience of complex business transformations, financial restructures and M&A transactions across multiple sectors. "Jade brings a rare combination of strategic insight and operational discipline, with a proven ability to deliver results in challenging environments," Wood's chief executive Iain Torrens said. "Her leadership will be key as we accelerate performance and position Wood for the future." Torrens had taken up the role of interim CFO in February after former finance lead Arvind Balan abruptly resigned following the revelation that he had misstated his professional qualifications. Balan, who had described himself as a chartered accountant instead of a certified practicing accountant, had been in the role for just 10 months.

Offshore Technology
Nov 19th, 2025
Wood secures EPC contract for West Qurna 1 oilfield in Iraq

Wood secures EPC contract for West Qurna 1 oilfield in Iraq. Wood plans to deliver the contract by utilising nearly 200 of its employees in Iraq and the UAE. Wood, a UK-based provider of technical services to the energy sector, has secured a contract from PetroChina for the West Qurna 1 oilfield in southern Iraq. Under the contract, Wood will undertake engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works across the West Qurna 1 development. This extends the company's decade-long support for one of the world's largest crude developments and supports Iraq's energy goals, stated Wood. Wood plans to deliver the contract by utilising nearly 200 of its employees based in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Wood Europe, Middle East and Africa operations president Ellis Renforth said: "The West Qurna 1 field underpins the nation's energy security and contributes significantly to its economic resilience. "This contract award deepens its decade-long partnership at West Qurna 1 and reflects the continued trust placed in Wood to deliver complex energy solutions in Iraq. US tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate? Don't let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis. "We are proud to combine our global expertise with a strong local workforce to help support Iraq's energy ambitions." West Qurna 1 is located approximately 50km north-west of Basra and is estimated to hold more than 20 billion barrels (bbbl) of recoverable reserves. The oilfield is considered a core part of Iraq's strategy to sustain and potentially increase crude output to global markets. In 2024, ExxonMobil ceased operations at West Qurna 1, transferring its responsibilities to PetroChina, which now owns the biggest share in the oilfield. West Qurna 1, in addition to around 20bbbl of proven crude deposits, has a production rate of nearly 550,000 barrels per day. ExxonMobil's decision to exit the oilfield followed its earlier departure from the Pirman gas block in Kurdistan, north Iraq. In September this year, Wood accepted a $291.5m (£216m) conditional takeover bid from Dubai-based Sidara, ending a year-long process that involved several offers.

High Growth Scotland
Nov 3rd, 2025
Wood Partners with Kongsberg Digital on Digital Twin Solutions

Wood partners with Kongsberg Digital on digital twin solutions. Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, has entered a strategic partnership with Kongsberg Digital to deliver full lifecycle Why? Free to subscribe, no paywall, daily business news digest. Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, has entered a strategic partnership with Kongsberg Digital to deliver full lifecycle digital twin solutions for industrial operations. The collaboration aims to improve the continuity of engineering data from project design to operations, helping operators make faster decisions and reduce start-up risk. The joint solution integrates Wood's digital consultancy and project delivery expertise with Kongsberg Digital's Kognitwin(R) platform. Together, the companies will provide clients with a single, trusted source of data across the asset lifecycle - addressing long-standing challenges in data handover and operational readiness. Daniel Carter, President of Consulting at Wood said, "Operators continue to face pressure to accelerate time-to-value and improve performance in complex environments. By embedding digital thinking from the outset, we help clients reduce inefficiencies and delays. In one recent offshore energy project, this approach delivered a 23% cost improvement compared to previous benchmarks." In case you missed it: Shane McArdle, CEO of Kongsberg Digital, added, "This partnership is about enabling better decisions through an industrial work surface powered by AI, digital twins and physics-based simulation. By combining our platform with Wood's consultancy expertise, we're helping clients unlock the full value of digital twins across the lifecycle of their assets for industrial intelligence at scale." Wood and Kongsberg Digital are committed to helping industrial clients build and sustain the data foundations needed for successful digital transformation.

Sharecast
Oct 15th, 2025
Wood Group CEO resigns ahead of Sidara takeover

Wood Group CEO resigns ahead of Sidara takeover. Wood Group has announced that its chief executive Ken Gilmartin is to resign from the engineering consulting firm ahead of the proposed £216m takeover by Dubai's Sidara. Gilmartin, who has been at the helm for three years, will step down after the upcoming shareholder vote on the deal, and will be replaced by Iain Torrens, currently interim chief financial officer. Torrens only joined the company in February, but has over three decades of senior leadership experience across listed companies, including CFO at TalkTalk and ICAP. "We are pleased to announce the appointment of Iain as Wood's new CEO," said chair Roy Franklin. "Since joining the company earlier this year, Iain has demonstrated experience, leadership and decisiveness to guide the business through a very challenging period. The board is confident he is well-placed to lead the company into its next chapter." Wood Group agreed to the Sidara acquisition in August after a year-long pursuit by the Dubai-based company. Sidara will pay 30p per share for the company, as well as take on $1.6bn of Wood Group's debt and inject $450m of capital into the business to help resolve liquidity issues.

INACTIVE