Safety Engineer

<p>Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure, resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resiliency, we serve critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive powering a high-technology future. Vulcan Elements is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to Mission Focus, Technical Excellence and Transparency.<br><br>As a Safety Engineer you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the organization’s Process Safety Management (PSM) programs to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations. This role leads cross-functional efforts to identify and control process hazards, reduce operational risk, and promote a strong process safety culture throughout the facility.</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the site’s PSM program in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119 and EPA RMP requirements.</li> <li>Develop, implement, oversee and maintain all PSM program elements, including but not limited to:</li> <li>Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) and revalidations</li> <li>Management of Change (MOC)</li> <li>Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR)</li> <li>Operating procedures and safe work practices</li> <li>Mechanical Integrity (MI) and equipment reliability programs</li> <li>Incident and near miss investigation and root cause analysis</li> <li>Contractor safety and training</li> <li>Emergency planning and response</li> <li>Facilitate cross-functional HAZOPs, LOPA studies, and risk assessments; ensure findings are tracked and resolved.</li> <li>Serve as subject-matter expert for process risk, technical safety standards, and hazard controls.</li> <li>Partner with engineering, operations, maintenance, and EHS to evaluate process changes, equipment upgrades, tool changes, and capital projects for safety and regulatory impact.</li> <li>Provide technical guidance to engineering and operations teams regarding process safety requirements, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies.</li> <li>Serve as the site authority for Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) determinations per applicable fire codes (IFC/NFPA), internal standards, and any other applicable regulatory requirements.</li> <li>Maintain an accurate inventory of hazardous materials by control area, ensuring compliance with MAQs and separation requirements.</li> <li>Develop systems for monitoring chemical usage, storage, and movement to proactively prevent MAQ exceedances.</li> <li>Review facility modifications, equipment changes, and chemical substitutions for MAQ impact as part of the MOC process.</li> <li>Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, and Facilities teams to ensure storage rooms, control areas, and fire protection systems meet MAQ‑related design criteria.</li> <li>Coordinate with local fire authorities or regulatory agencies when MAQ reporting, permitting, or inspections are required.</li> <li>Identify and lead projects required to bring MAQ‑related deficiencies back into compliance (e.g., fire‑rated separation, secondary containment, inventory redistribution).</li> <li>Analyze process safety metrics, develop leading and lagging indicators, and provide regular reports to leadership.</li> <li>Lead and support process safety audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews; develop improvement plans based on findings.</li> <li>Develop and deliver process safety and MAQ training programs for employees and contractors.</li> <li>Champion a strong process safety culture through communication, coaching, and visible engagement in the field.</li> </ul> <p><em>Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business</em></p> <p><strong>Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in engineering (chemical, mechanical, industrial, or related field preferred) or equivalent experience.</li> <li>5+ years of experience in process safety management.</li> <li>Strong knowledge of OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, NFPA, API, and other relevant industry standards.</li> <li>Experience conducting PHAs (HAZOP, What-If, FMEA) and risk assessments.</li> <li>Strong knowledge of MAQ requirements and management.</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.</li> <li>Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.<strong> </strong></li> </ul> <p><em>Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.</em></p> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>PHA/LOPA leadership certification.</li> <li>Experience in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing environments.</li> <li>Knowledge of reliability engineering or mechanical integrity systems.</li> <li>Familiarity with software used for PHA, incident investigations, and MOC workflows.</li> </ul>