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Senior Process Safety Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Process Safety Engineer Are you the kind of person who is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are ...

Process Safety Engineer Are you the kind of person who is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are ...

The Senior Process Engineer interacts with the plant teams, business groups and R&D to identify and ... This position ensures that process safety, environmental, and engineering standards are met at all ...

The Senior Process Engineer interacts with the plant teams, business groups and R&D to identify and ... This position ensures that process safety, environmental, and engineering standards are met at all ...

Sr. Process Engineer

Chester, VA · On-site

$95K - $123K/yr

The Senior Process Engineer interacts with the plant teams, business groups and R&D to identify and ... This position ensures that process safety, environmental, and engineering standards are met at all ...

Senior Process Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$101K - $130K/yr

US Pipe is currently seeking a highly experienced, senior-level Process Engineer to join our ... Process improvement through collection and analysis of manufacturing process data to improve safety ...

Senior Process Engineer

Lynchburg, VA

$86K - $111K/yr

US Pipe is currently seeking a highly experienced, senior-level Process Engineer to join our ... Process improvement through collection and analysis of manufacturing process data to improve safety ...

Senior Process Engineer

Lynchburg, VA

$86K - $111K/yr

US Pipe is currently seeking a highly experienced, senior-level Process Engineer to join our ... Process improvement through collection and analysis of manufacturing process data to improve safety ...

Senior Process Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$101K - $130K/yr

US Pipe is currently seeking a highly experienced, senior-level Process Engineer to join our ... Process improvement through collection and analysis of manufacturing process data to improve safety ...

Sr. Process Engineer

Middletown, VA

$91K - $118K/yr

We are seeking a Sr. Process Engineer with a strong background in mechanical or manufacturing engineering and hands-on experience in automated manufacturing environments, preferably within the life ...

Sr. Process Engineer

Middletown, VA · On-site +1

$91K - $118K/yr

We are seeking a Sr. Process Engineer with a strong background in mechanical or manufacturing engineering and hands-on experience in automated manufacturing environments, preferably within the life ...

Sr. Process Engineer

Middletown, VA · On-site

$91K - $118K/yr

We are seeking a Sr. Process Engineer with a strong background in mechanical or manufacturing engineering and hands-on experience in automated manufacturing environments, preferably within the life ...

About the Role We are looking for a Safety Engineer to join our Safety team on our project in Virginia. This is a full-time, in person position. The Safety Project Engineer supports project-level ...

The Safety Project Engineer supports project-level safety coordination and serves as a key office-side safety leader across multiple active projects. This role builds upon foundational office safety ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Process Safety Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$74.4K

$120.1K

$169K

How much do senior process safety engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior process safety engineer in Virginia is $120,077.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,100.00 and $133,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Process Safety Engineers in the chemical, oil and gas, or petrochemical industries can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized certifications, and leadership roles. High salaries are often associated with seniority, complex projects, and working in high-risk environments that require advanced knowledge of safety protocols and risk management tools.

What are the main challenges a Senior Process Safety Engineer faces when implementing new safety protocols across multiple facilities?

A Senior Process Safety Engineer often encounters challenges such as ensuring consistent application of safety standards across diverse sites, gaining buy-in from cross-functional teams, and adapting protocols to facility-specific hazards. Additionally, balancing regulatory compliance with operational efficiency requires strong communication and project management skills. Successfully addressing these challenges usually involves close collaboration with site managers, operations teams, and regulatory bodies, as well as ongoing training and audits to maintain high safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Process Safety Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Process Safety Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical or process engineering, in-depth knowledge of process safety management (PSM), and typically a bachelor's degree in engineering with relevant certifications like CSP or CCPSC. Familiarity with process hazard analysis (PHA) tools, safety lifecycle software (such as PHA-Pro or BowTieXP), and regulatory standards (OSHA, API) is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, leadership, and effective communication skills help you guide multidisciplinary teams and convey complex safety issues clearly. These competencies are vital to ensure operational safety, regulatory compliance, and the prevention of major incidents in high-risk industrial environments.

What is the highest salary of a safety engineer?

The highest salary for a senior process safety engineer can exceed $150,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and working in high-demand industries such as oil and gas or chemical manufacturing. Top earners often have specialized skills in risk assessment, process hazard analysis, and safety management systems.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Process Safety Engineers in the chemical, oil and gas, or petrochemical industries can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized certifications, and leadership roles. High compensation often reflects the critical safety responsibilities, technical expertise, and the complexity of the facilities they oversee.

How much do process safety engineers make in the US?

Process safety engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $90,000 to $110,000, with experienced professionals and those in senior roles earning over $130,000. Salaries vary based on location, industry, certifications, and years of experience, and the role often requires knowledge of safety standards and risk management tools.

What is the difference between Senior Process Safety Engineer vs Process Safety Engineer?

AspectSenior Process Safety EngineerProcess Safety Engineer
CertificationsTypically holds API, NEBOSH, or equivalent certificationsOften requires similar certifications, but less experience needed
Work EnvironmentLeads safety projects, mentors junior staff, and manages complex risk assessmentsSupports safety initiatives, conducts hazard analyses, and assists in safety documentation
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in oil & gas, chemical, and refining industriesUsed across similar industries, often as entry to mid-level role

The main difference between a Senior Process Safety Engineer and a Process Safety Engineer lies in experience, leadership responsibilities, and project scope. Senior professionals typically lead safety initiatives and mentor others, while Process Safety Engineers focus on supporting safety tasks and analysis. Both roles are vital for maintaining safety standards in high-risk industries.

What does a Senior Process Safety Engineer do?

A Senior Process Safety Engineer is responsible for ensuring that industrial processes, especially those involving hazardous materials, are designed and operated safely to prevent accidents and minimize risks. They analyze operations, conduct safety assessments, and implement systems to comply with safety regulations. Additionally, they lead incident investigations, develop safety procedures, and provide technical guidance to engineering teams to promote a strong safety culture within the organization.
What are the most commonly searched types of Process Safety Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Process Safety Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Process Safety Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Senior Process Safety Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Process Safety Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Process Safety Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Process Safety Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Process Safety Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Process Safety Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,077 per year, or $57.7 per hour.

Process Safety Engineer

Ashland

Hopewell, VA

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Ashland Inc.

Process Safety Engineer

Are you the kind of person who is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we'd like to meet you and bet you'd like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Process Safety Engineer to join our team at Ashland LLC in Hopewell, VA. This is a highly visible, significant role within the Company and the EHS&S function. This position will report to the EHS Center of Excellence (COE).

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Provide transformational leadership to foster management commitment and employee ownership of process safety, enhance site process safety culture and performance, and ensure timely closure of corrective actions through risk assessment and data-driven collaboration.
  • Analyze process safety data and partner with site leadership to develop and implement process safety improvement strategies.
  • Providing subject matter expertise and technical support in the areas of process safety and its implementation to ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence (PHA/LOPA, facility siting, combustible dust hazard management, effective corrective active closure, incident investigations, consequence modeling, etc.)
  • Apply effective problem-solving and decision-making by developing multiple solutions and making well-informed recommendations to improve process safety outcomes.
  • Coordinate and deliver mandatory process safety training and additional sessions tailored to meet specific site needs, including clear communication of process safety program elements to all organizational levels (operations, engineers, and site management)
  • Lead process hazard analysis (PHA), combustible dust assessment (CDA/DHA), and risk assessments (LOPA) to ensure process hazards are identified and adequately and effectively mitigated in order to meet company risk criteria.
  • Maintain site self-assessment protocols for the process safety program and participate in process safety compliance audits.
  • Partner with global EHS and Engineering to provide process safety support for capital projects at the site.
  • Review, revise, and update site process safety procedures and standards to maintain regulatory compliance and align with corporate standards, promoting continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What This Role Is Not:

  • Not an entry-level position - we need a candidate to hit the ground running with solid experience and a background to prove it
  • Not an office-based role - You will spend a significant portion of your time in the field in a chemical manufacturing facility
  • Not a management position - while you will collaborate with other team members, this is an individual contributor role with no direct reports

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in chemical engineering or other relevant science/engineering degree
  • Minimum 7 years' experience in the process safety field within an industrial or manufacturing setting, including chemical manufacturing
  • Working knowledge of OSHA PSM and EPA RMP regulatory requirements and RAGAGEP (e.g. API, NFPA, etc.)
  • Subject matter expertise in risk-based process safety management systems and experience implementing PS MS in a chemical manufacturing setting
  • Demonstrated experience leading PHAs using LOPA, DHAs, and MOCs, developing and maintaining PSI, developing and maintaining procedures and training materials, and incident investigation
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and quickly adapt to shifting demands
  • Excellent verbal / written communication (English) and interpersonal skills, particularly influencing without authority
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and EHS management software, such as VelocityEHS

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

  • Experience with combustible dust
  • Proficiency with PHA Software, such as PHA Pro or Sphera ARA
  • Working knowledge in consequence modeling and/or process simulation software (e.g. PHAST, Superchems, Aspen, etc.)
  • Experience in pressure relief design and analysis (DIERS)

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.
At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.
Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.
Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE:  We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.