Functional Safety & Fire Protection Systems Engineer

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Position Summary

The Senior Functional Safety & Fire Protection Systems Engineer will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Functional Safety Management (FSM) and Fire & Gas (F&G) Protection Systems for industrial gas turbine packages and associated equipment.

The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with international safety standards, supporting safety lifecycle activities, leading hazard and risk assessments, developing fire protection philosophies, and participating in third-party certification and audit activities. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant system designs throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Functional Safety Management

• Lead and continuously improve Functional Safety Management (FSM) processes in accordance with IEC 61511 and related industry standards.
• Guide engineering teams through all stages of the safety lifecycle, including:
  • Hazard Identification (HAZID)
  • Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)
  • Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
  • Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessments
  • Functional Safety Assessments (FSA)
• Develop, review, and approve Functional Safety Reports, Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS), and SIL verification documentation.
• Support project teams in safety architecture development and risk reduction strategies.
• Conduct and facilitate Functional Safety Assessments and design reviews.
• Support audit readiness activities and compliance reviews.

Fire & Gas Protection Systems

• Develop Fire Protection Design Basis Documents (FPDBDs), fire protection philosophies, and F&G system design strategies.
• Define and validate flame, gas, smoke, heat, and toxic gas detection coverage requirements.
• Review equipment layouts and 3D models to evaluate detector placement, accessibility, maintenance requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Support design and implementation of fire suppression, firewater, clean agent, deluge, and gaseous extinguishing systems.
• Provide technical leadership for F&G system architecture, cause-and-effect logic, and integration with control and safety systems.
• Evaluate system designs for compliance with NFPA and applicable international fire protection standards.

Risk Assessment & Compliance

• Lead and participate in FMEA, HAZOP, SIL allocation studies, and safety reviews.
• Support TÜV and other third-party certification activities, including documentation preparation, audit support, and closure of findings.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards including:
  • IEC 61511
  • IEC 61508
  • NFPA Standards
  • Relevant customer and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with controls, mechanical, electrical, packaging, and project engineering teams to achieve safe and compliant system designs.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a recognized SME for Functional Safety and Fire Protection Systems.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance across global engineering teams.
• Participate in technical evaluations, interviews, and candidate selection for safety-related engineering positions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and strategic safety programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Controls Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8+ years of engineering experience in industrial process, power generation, oil & gas, petrochemical, or gas turbine applications.
• Minimum 2+ years of demonstrated SME experience in Functional Safety and/or Fire & Gas Protection Systems.
• Strong understanding of:
  • IEC 61511
  • IEC 61508
  • SIL Determination & Verification
  • HAZOP, LOPA, and Risk Assessment methodologies
  • NFPA Fire Protection Standards
• Experience supporting third-party certifications (TÜV preferred).
• Experience with industrial control systems, SIS, ESD, F&G, and gas turbine package applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• TÜV Functional Safety Engineer/Professional Certification.
• CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) or equivalent fire protection certification.
• Experience with Honeywell, Rockwell, Emerson, Siemens, Yokogawa, or other industrial automation platforms.
• Experience supporting global EPC, OEM, or end-user projects.
• Knowledge of regulatory and customer compliance requirements within power generation and oil & gas industries.

Key Competencies

• Functional Safety Leadership
• Fire Protection Engineering
• Hazard & Risk Analysis
• Safety Lifecycle Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Technical Mentoring
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Communication & Stakeholder Management

This role is ideal for experienced engineers from Gas Turbine OEMs, EPC companies, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and Power Generation industries who possess strong expertise in both Functional Safety and Fire & Gas Protection Systems and can provide technical leadership across complex industrial projects.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

August 31, 2026 - September 13, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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