Process Safety Engineer (HAZOP / LOPA)

We are seeking an experienced Process Safety Engineer (HAZOP / LOPA) to support pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturing operations in Visp, Switzerland. The successful candidate will lead process hazard identification, risk assessments and safety studies for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and bioconjugate manufacturing processes, ensuring that process hazards are identified, evaluated and effectively controlled before operations begin. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with remote study preparation and reporting and on-site workshops, plant walkdowns and design reviews in Visp.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, facilitate and document Hazard and Operability (HAZOP), Hazard Identification (HAZID) and What-If studies for new processes, process modifications and technology transfers.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary study teams, prepare HAZOP nodes and ensure that findings, recommendations and corrective actions are accurately documented.
• Conduct Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) studies, identifying initiating events, independent protection layers (IPLs) and target risk reduction requirements.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and independence of existing safeguards, ensuring that protection layer credits are supported by appropriate technical evidence.
• Perform Safety Integrity Level (SIL) determination and verification for safety instrumented functions in accordance with IEC 61511.
• Review pressure relief and venting systems, hazardous area classifications and ATEX compliance to identify potential safety gaps.
• Assess reaction hazards, calorimetry results and thermal stability data in collaboration with process chemists and engineering teams.
• Translate thermal hazard assessment findings into safe operating limits, process controls and risk mitigation measures.
• Support process safety assessments for energetic reactions, flammable solvents, toxic reagents and highly potent compounds.
• Track HAZOP, LOPA and other process safety recommendations through implementation and formal closure.
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC) reviews, incident investigations and pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR).
• Collaborate with process development, engineering, operations and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) teams to ensure compliance with applicable safety requirements.
• Prepare process safety reports, risk assessment documentation and technical recommendations to support safe plant operations.

Requirements

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in process safety engineering within chemical, pharmaceutical or fine chemical manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading and facilitating HAZOP and LOPA studies for industrial manufacturing processes.
• Strong knowledge of process hazard identification, risk assessment methodologies and independent protection layer evaluation.
• Working knowledge of IEC 61511, Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessment and safety instrumented systems.
• Familiarity with Swiss and European process safety regulations, ATEX requirements and industry best practices.
• Understanding of process safety requirements for batch and multipurpose manufacturing facilities.
• Experience reviewing pressure relief systems, hazardous area classifications and process safety documentation.
• Ability to assess process modifications, technology transfers and operational risks through structured safety studies.
• Strong analytical, technical reporting, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary process development, engineering, operations and EHS teams.
• Professional proficiency in English is required.
• German language skills are advantageous.
• Experience in thermal hazard assessments, reaction calorimetry and highly potent compound containment is a strong advantage.
• Ability to attend on-site workshops, plant walkdowns and design reviews in Visp, Switzerland, while performing study preparation, analysis and reporting remotely.