Regional Principal Engineer

Job Description SummaryAs Regional Principal Engineer for Safety by Design (SbD), you act as the regional focal point and thought leader for all design safety–related topics across the Central Europe (CE) engineering organization. You drive the deployment of advanced Safety by Design methodologies across the full lifecycle of HVDC converter stations — from conceptual design to commissioning and handover — ensuring that engineering solutions meet or exceed GE Vernova standards, legal obligations, and customer expectations.

This role provides deep technical guidance, assurance, and cross-functional leadership, connecting design, systems engineering, and RAMS disciplines. You ensure that safety is engineered into every system and decision — not added later — and that SbD practices are applied consistently across the regional project portfolio.

The role combines strategic oversight, technical depth, and influence. You collaborate with project teams, HSE, and consortium partners to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant design outcomes, while supporting the industrialization and standardization of SbD tools and processes within the region.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional Leadership & Technical Authority

• Serve as the principal regional expert for Safety by Design, supporting multiple 2GW and regional HVDC projects.

• Provide governance and direction for the integration of SbD principles into engineering deliverables, ensuring alignment with global GE Vernova frameworks.

• Act as a technical escalation point for safety-critical decisions and design risk assessments.

2. Program Development & Standardization

• Develop, deploy, and continuously improve the Safety by Design programme for Central Europe, fully integrated into the RAMS and Systems Engineering strategies.

• Drive harmonization of tools, templates, and methodologies across projects to achieve consistency and efficiency.

• Support the development of digital design safety registers, risk matrices, and decision log frameworks.

3. Design Assurance & Governance

• Review and approve key safety-related engineering documentation (EERA, FERA, HAZID, HAZOP, BowTie, FMECA, Fire Protection Design, etc.).

• Ensure all project deliverables adhere to applicable standards, codes, and legal requirements.

• Facilitate independent technical reviews and audits to assure design integrity and legal compliance.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with customers, developers, certifying authorities, and consortium members to align on Safety by Design deliverables and expectations.

• Represent the CE Engineering function in safety governance boards and external audits.

• Lead technical dialogues and design reviews to promote transparent and proactive safety culture.

5. Training & Knowledge Building

• Mentor project engineers, package leads, and safety specialists in SbD practices and systems engineering integration.

• Deliver training sessions and technical forums to embed a culture of safety ownership across disciplines.

• Capture and disseminate lessons learned to strengthen the 2GW Engineering knowledge base.

6. Execution Support

• Oversee the application of SbD principles through all project phases: design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning.

• Provide expert support in vendor qualification, fire protection systems, material handling systems, and other safety-critical packages.

• Ensure all modifications and design changes follow robust safety review and approval processes (MoC).

Qualifications & Profile

• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Process, or Safety); postgraduate qualification preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in design and execution of large-scale energy infrastructure projects, with at least 5 years in offshore or HVDC environments.

• Proven expertise in Safety by Design, RAMS, and Systems Engineering principles.

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent qualification (e.g., German SiFa) required.

• Strong analytical and facilitation skills, with experience leading HAZOPs, FMECAs, and BowTie analyses.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.

• Fluent in English; proficiency in German (B2 or higher) is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Safety by Design leadership

• Systems engineering integration

• RAMS & design assurance

• Consortium and stakeholder management

• Legal and standards compliance

• Technical risk assessment and mitigation

• Coaching and capability building

• Continuous improvement and standardization

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: No